President Bola Tinubu has told his aides that their jobs are secure following the confirmation of his election by the Supreme Court in the 2023 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The aides, including the State Chief of Protocol (SCOPE), Victor Adeleke and his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Aide de Camp (ADC), Lt. Col. Nurudeen Yusuf, and other security and civilian appointees, had gathered in his office on Thursday at the presidential villa in Abuja immediately after the court’s pronouncement to congratulate him on his victory.

President Tinubu, who happily received them, announced, first to Ngelale and Adeleke that their jobs were safe before the ADC, who spoke on their behalf, congratulated Tinubu, saying, “Gentlemen, we want to congratulate the president having been confirmed by the Supreme Court as a five-star General, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

This was followed by the observance of a short prayer for the president on his victory.

State governors were also among the earlier callers at the presidential villa to celebrate with President Tinubu over the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his victory.

They include Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdulahi Sule (Nasarawa), Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Rev. Fr. Hycinth Alia (Benue).

It was not clear whether Diri’s purpose in the villa was to congratulate the president as he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and contesting the November 11 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state.

However, the governor, along with others, rejoiced with the president on his victory with the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, informing the president that Diri would have come earlier to see him but was busy with his governorship campaign, which Tinubu acknowledged.

Speaking to correspondents, Fr. Alia said the president’s victory at the Supreme Court will enable him to focus on the business.

He said, “It is quite exciting because we will move ahead now. I know our president has great plans for the nation, particularly in my state, and I will not want us to miss out on that.

“His victory is not just a victory for the nation but those of us who are not on the same page for growth and development as it is intended. It is a larger victory for all of us. These (Judiciary) are people who are meticulous with the books.

“Today is a blessing for Nigeria that our sitting president carries the day. Please, let us all join hands with him to take our nation to higher heights because he has not just the potential, he has already started exhibiting what will bring our further growth.”

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described Tinubu’s victory as historic and a beauty that comes with the power of inclusiveness.

He added: “The highest judicial body in our country has expressed itself very clearly. There were no dissenting voices; there were seven of them that were on the same page. That tells us that whatever might have been the differences, let us put it behind us; it is a victory for all.”

In his remark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas said Tinubu’s victory was not unexpected as they knew it would be the case.

Asked to react, he said: “To God be the glory. It is not something unexpected. It is something that we have been waiting for. We know, ultimately, what we heard today is what will be said, but the fact that it has come at this early hours, we have nothing to say but to say thank God for Nigeria.

“Thank God for all the good people of Nigeria who prayed for this particular day for this historic victory.

“I think this time around, after this pronouncement, we have no excuse, but to go back to business as usual, to go back and reset our agenda and see what we can be able to do for the people of Nigeria for the next three and a half or four years.”

The speaker appealed to the opposition to support the government to move the country forward, adding: “They should take heart. There is always one victor at a time. This is Asiwaju’s time, They should all take heart, come and join hands with him so that we move Nigeria to a greater level.”

Also speaking, the Secretary to Government of the Federation. George Akume noted that the victory was a revalidation of the mandate that the Nigerian people gave him.

He added: “The highest court, the Supreme Court, spoke loud and clear that mandate was freely given. That is what we want in this country.

“We want stability, we don’t want distraction. The president has taken off beautifully and he has the interest of the people at heart. So far, the choices he’s making are tough but at the end of the day, they will make for a better tomorrow. So, we are very happy with what has happened today, Nigerians are celebrating.”