Reach out to those who oppose your win, Uhuru urges Nigeria's Tinubu

Kenya's fourth president Uhuru Kenyatta (R) with outgoing Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria on Saturday, 27th May 2023. [Twitter: @4thPresidentKE]

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Nigeria's political class to move on from the election and campaign politics and work together to unite the country.

Uhuru made the sentiments in his keynote address at the Nigerian 2023 Presidential Inauguration Lecture in Abuja on Saturday, May 27.

In his speech, the former Head of State urged the West African nation's president-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to unite all Nigerians irrespective of religion, tribe, political and other affiliations.

"I speak to you as a brother and an elder statesman in leadership. The contest is now over, and the hard work of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria begins", a statement shared on his Twitter platform reads.

Kenya's fourth president Uhuru Kenyatta delivers a Presidential Inauguration Lecture held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. [Twitter: @4thPresidentKE]

In what seemed like an advice from an experienced colleague, Uhuru urged Tinubu to reach out, mostly, to people opposing his win in the just-concluded presidential election.

"I encourage you to surround yourself with the voices of those who will counterbalance the hardliners that feel entitled to a piece of your office. You will lose nothing and gain everything from reaching out across political, ethnic, and religious lines to those who may feel aggrieved by your victory in one way or another. Allow them to exhale and to be a part of your vision for a greater Nigeria."

He further urged him to embrace the inclusivity of all parties for a better Country.

Nigeria went to elections on February 2023 and recorded historical voter apathy. Only less than 30 percent of registered voters cast their ballots.

Tinubu was declared winner of the hotly contested race as his competitors alleged manipulation of election results.