*Thanks Nigerians who cooperated against collapse of nation
*Reiterates his commitment to bequeath lasting democratic culture
*Task political office contenders on issue-based campaigns
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday October 1, 2022 expressed his gratitude that, despite challenges huge enough to pull down a nation, the country did not collapse and remained head up to the glory of Almighty God.
He, however, acknowledged that that feat was made possible due to the indefatigable spirit of the Nigerian people in ensuring that “we overcome our challenges”.
President Buhari pointed out this while delivering his broadcast speech marking the 62nd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.
In that “indefatigable spirit”, he said, he called on all of citizens to individually and collectively bring to the fore in dealing with all development issues facing the nation that remains the most relevant in the black world.
“I was called to serve, along with my team, I saw an opportunity to create a better Nigeria which we have done with the support of Nigerians. Almighty God and the good people of Nigeria supported us in laying a solid foundation for the Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.
The President was pleased that besides his administration’s emphasis on infrastructural development with its attendant opportunities for job creation, employment generation and subsequent poverty reduction, as well as its focused intervention directly to Nigerians through the National Social Investment Programme were also yielding benefits.
To the extent that there is hardly any ward, village or local government in Nigeria today that has not benefited from one of the programmes targeted at easing or alleviating poverty among the people such as N-Power, trader-moni, market moni, subsidized loans, business grants or Conditional Cash Transfers.
“All the aforementioned programmes along with various interventions by the National Social Investment programme, direct support to victims of flooding and other forms of disasters have provided succour to the affected Nigerians,” he said, adding that, no matter what gains are made, without a good governance system anchored on electing credible leaders on the basis of free, fair, credible and transparent elections, “our efforts would not be enough.”
On this note, the Nigerian Leader, who was giving his last Independence Day Anniversary broadcast address, said, “I have resolved to bequeath a sustainable democratic culture which will remain lasting. The signing of the Electoral Act 2021 as amended with landmark provisions further assures us of a more transparent and inclusive Electoral Process.”
President Buhari said, “Having witnessed at close quarters, the pains, anguish and disappointment of being a victim of an unfair electoral process, the pursuit of an electoral system and processes that guarantee election of leaders by citizens remains the guiding light as I prepare to wind down our administration.
“You would all agree that the recent elections in the past two years in some states (notably Anambra, Ekiti and Osun) and a few federal constituencies have shown a high degree of credibility, transparency and freedom of choice with the people’s votes actually counting. This I promise would be improved upon as we move towards the 2023 General Elections.
“As we begin the transition process to another democratically elected government, I want to implore all aspirants to conduct issues-based campaigns devoid of hate speeches as well as other negative and divisive tendencies.
“I also want to express my wish that we see more female and youth participation in the forth-coming electoral cycle. I am sure that our teeming and energetic youths now realise that violence generally mar elections and so should desist from being used by politicians for this purpose.
“Reforms in the public sector are already yielding results especially in the delivery of services. On this note, I urge the general public to demand for citizen-centred services from the relevant authorities.
“On the international front, we have continued to take advantage of our bilateral and multilateral platforms to explore cooperation with friendly countries and partners whenever these areas of cooperation are to the advantage of Nigeria.
“Fellow Nigerians, in the past few years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of challenges that would ordinarily have destroyed our Nation. However, the indefatigable spirit of the Nigerian people has ensured that we overcome our challenges.
“It is in this spirit that I call on all of us to individually and collectively bring to the fore in dealing with all our development issues.
“I was called to serve, along with my team, I saw an opportunity to create a better Nigeria which we have done with the support of Nigerians. Almighty God and the good people of Nigeria supported us in laying a solid foundation for the Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.
