Government is not easy to achieve or maintain, urging Nigerians to be
patience and tolerance for democracy to thrive.
In his address to Nigerians ahead of the elections on Friday, Buhari urged
Nigerians to have faith in the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to deliver on credible elections.
The president also asked Nigerians to come out and vote the government of
their choice, ignoring the rumours of violence and unrest around the
nation.
THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH IS REPRODUCED BELOW:
Finally, we have reached the eve of the rescheduled first round of this
year’s general elections.
2. Tomorrow, the polls open. Tomorrow, we affirm that Nigeria stands as a
democracy and that no worldly hand can deter us from this wise and fitting
path we have chosen for ourselves.
3. While democracy is the most beneficial way to select a nation’s
leaders, it is far from the easiest thing to achieve and maintain.
4. It requires a combination of patience, tolerance, compassion,
diligence, wisdom and hope. These traits exist in us the Nigerian people.
Because of who we are, democracy has the chance to flourish in this land.
5. Thus, I commend all of you for your patience and peaceful conduct so
far during this electoral season and especially during this intervening
week following the postponement of the February 16 elections.
6. Many were worried and thought the worst might happen. You proved them
wrong by showing that you are a great people with an abiding love for
peace, democracy and the unity of our country.
7. According to the daily INEC public briefings given this week, the
Electoral Commission says it is ready and fully prepared to conduct the
election in a free, fair and transparent manner.
8. I believe INEC realises the profound and weighty duty that rests upon it.
9. We must cast aside doubt and have faith that INEC will rise to the
occasion. We must believe and encourage INEC to fulfill and honour this
responsibility it owes to our country.
10. As your President, I hereby ask all Nigerians with voting cards to
participate in defining the future of our nation by exercising your
democratic rights tomorrow. I urge you to go out and vote.
11. I say this because elections are the cornerstone of representative
governance. And voting constitutes the highest and best expression of the
sovereign will of the people to choose the government that best represents
them.
12. It is only upon the freely expressed will of the people that
government truly dedicated to the welfare, rights and interests of the
people can be founded.
13. Do not allow anyone to discourage you from the exercise of your rights
as citizens and voters tomorrow.
14. To vote means that you believe in Nigeria and the excellent things the
future holds for this nation and its people.
15. No matter our political leanings, we all believe in Nigeria, in the
noble principles for which it stands and in the values we strive for our
beloved nation to uphold.
16. All who are able, must vote so that we may better perfect this
democracy and continue to build the greater nation we seek.
17. Do not be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest. Our security
agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures
are in place.
18. You will be able to vote in an atmosphere of openness and peace,
devoid of fear from threat or intimidation.
19. International and domestic monitors and observers are assured of their
safety and freedom of movement needed to perform their important
functions.
20. As we thank domestic monitors and observers for their contributions to
our democracy, we also thank the international groups for the friendship
and concern they have demonstrated to our nation.
21. We appreciate their efforts in encouraging us to further entrench and
strengthen our democracy.
22. Tomorrow is an encounter with history in which you, the people, shall
affirm your collective belief in our national greatness and in our future.
23. I ask that you embrace and hold on to the importance of the moment
soon to be upon us.
24. Honour your civic duty as voters by going to the polls tomorrow to
vote for the government of your choice, for the government that will lead
Nigeria toward its finest destiny.
25. As citizens there is no greater duty than this and no greater honour.
Tomorrow, I know you will once again make Nigeria proud of its people.
May God bless our democracy and forever bless the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.