President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has stated that the presidential election was ‘fair and credible’ and that he will not be confined by political consideration in assembling his government.

Tinubu, in a statement on Thursday, said he will go beyond forming a government of national unity, rather, he will form “a government of national competence.”

“There has been talk of a government of national unity. My aim is higher than that. I seek a government of national competence. In selecting my government, I shall not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance,” he said.

The former Lagos State governor polled 8.7 million votes to defeat 17 other candidates in the 25 February presidential election. However, several opposition parties have opposed the outcome of the election and some have commenced the legal process to challenge the result.

Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party have commenced the process to challenge the outcome.

Due to how divisive the 2023 electoral process has been, pundits have encouraged the president-elect to form a government of national unity in a bid to unite the country.

Tinubu, in his statement, reiterated that the election was “fair and credible”, noting that other candidates are within their rights to challenge the outcome in court.

Barring no judicial intervention, Tinubu is expected to be sworn in on 29 May.

PT