Politics

Full text of President Buhari’s speech on Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary

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Here is the full text of President Buhari’s speech on Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary.

Read below…

Fellow Nigerians,I address you today, with a deep sense of gratitude to God and a high level of appreciation to all Nigerians whose tremendous goodwill gave me the opportunity to provide leadership for our great country at one of the trying times in her history.

2. Conscious that today’s address would be my last on an Independence Day as your President; I speak to the millions of Nigerians, who believed in me, propelled and stood by me in my quest to bequeath a country where all citizens have equal opportunities to achieve their lives desires in a peaceful atmosphere.

3. I am honoured to say that my story in the annals of Nigeria’s history is no household secret. My various attempts, failures and eventual success in being elected as a Democratic President in 2015 was made possible by the majority of Nigerians.

4. When you elected me, I readily acknowledged that the tasks before me were daunting but surmountable because of the growing national consensus that our chosen route to national development was democracy.

5. This democracy was to be anchored on a clear understanding, application and the principles of separation of powers supported by a reformed public service that is more effective.

6. I then pledged to Improve the Economy, Tackle Corruption and Fight Insecurity and this was further strengthened by my commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years as the central plank of my second term in 2019.

7. To the Glory of God and His Grace as well as the commitment and passion displayed by many Nigerian supporters, we have made appreciable progress in these areas but not yet at our destination.

8. Mindful of the task before us, we took some time in settling down and we re-positioned the Economy by providing strategic interventions in core areas at both the Federal and Sub-National levels.

9. One of the areas where we have made significant progress is in the eradication of deeply entrenched corruption that permeates all facets of our national development.

10. We strengthened the Institutions for tackling corruption and also cultivated international support, which aided the repatriation of huge sums of money illegally kept outside the country.

11. The increasing number of prosecutions and convictions, with associated refunds of large sums of money is still ongoing. Furthermore, we would continue to block opportunities that encourage corrupt practices.

12. In order to address Insecurity, we worked methodically in reducing Insurgency in the North East, Militancy in the Niger Delta, Ethnic and Religious Tensions in some sections of Nigeria along with other problems threatening our country.

13. Our efforts in re-setting the economy manifested in Nigeria exiting two economic recessions by the very practical and realistic monetary and fiscal measures to ensure effective public financial management.

In addition, the effective implementation of the Treasury Single Account and cutting down on the cost of governance also facilitated early exits from recessions.

14. Fellow Nigerians, this administration removed several decades uncertainty for potential Investors in the Oil & Gas sector with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

This landmark legislation created opportunities for foreign investments in addition to improving transparency in the management of the sector.

15. Our administration has given the desired priority to the Agricultural Sector through a series of incentives to Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that resulted in creating millions of jobs.

Leading this initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in a number of areas as well as the Anchor Borrowers Programme had created the required leverages for Nigerians towards self-sufficiency in food and the necessary attraction for farming as a business.

16. The growing contribution of non-oil exports, especially in agriculture, information and communication technology as well as the performing arts to our national economy will enhance our foreign exchange earnings.

17. We are confronting current economic challenges such as debt burden, growing inflation, living standards and increasing unemployment accentuated by our growing youthful population.

These problems are globally induced and we would continue to ensure that their negative effects are addressed in our policies.

18. This administration will continue to ensure that our fiscal policies are supported by a robust and contemporary monetary policy that recognises our peculiarities in the midst of the growing global economic difficulties.

19. This is evidenced by the recent Monetary Policy Committee decision to maintain all parameters, especially interest rates and marginally increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 14% to 15.5% and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from 27.5% to 32.5%. It is projected that this would further insulate our economy from over exposure to uncertainties at the international market by restraining growth in core inflation.

20. As we continue to de-escalate the security challenges that confronted us at inception of this administration, newer forms alien to our country began to manifest especially in the areas of kidnappings, molestations/killings of innocent citizens, banditry, all of which are being addressed by our security forces.

21. I share the pains Nigerians are going through and I assure you that your resilience and patience would not be in vain as this administration continues to reposition as well as strengthen the security agencies to enable them to deal with all forms of security challenges.

22. At the inception of this administration in 2015, I provided the funding requirements of the security agencies which was also improved in my second tenure in 2019 to enable them to surmount security challenges. We will continue on this path until our efforts yield the desired results.

23. As we put in place all measures to ensure that Nigeria takes her place in the Comity of Nations, we recognize the importance of a well-educated populace as a panacea to most of the challenges we face.

24. We have, therefore, pursued policies and implemented programmes designed to create a literate and proficient society that ensures that citizens are availed with opportunities for life-long achievements.

25. I must confess that I am very pained by the recurring disruption to our tertiary education system and I am using this Independence Day celebration to re-iterate my call for the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to the classroom while assuring them to deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available. This administration has made appreciable progress in redressing these issues that have been lingering for over eleven years.

26. The Federal Government will continue to mobilize resources both internationally and nationally towards funding education to ensure that our citizens are well educated and skilled in various vocations in view of the fact that education is a leading determinant of economic growth and employment generation.

27. Fellow Nigerians, we have also improved our health facilities, especially during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which attracted commendation of the global community.

28. As you are aware, Nigeria was one of the countries that defied global predictions of the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic because of our resilience, commitment and passion with which we individually and collectively managed the pandemic.

29. This administration embarked on addressing critical ecological challenges across the country in order to mitigate the impact of Climate Change manifesting in the form of flood, soil erosion, desertification, air pollution amongst others.

30. We will continue to ensure that our infrastructure drive remains the key to Nigeria’s economic growth and for which every Nigerian will feel the impact.

31. The Federal Government is already expanding ports operations to ensure that they provide opportunities for the growth of the Nigerian economy.

32. We have also continued to accelerate our infrastructure development through serviceable and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow & increased revenue generation by expanding the tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

33. To further open up our communities to economic activities, we have continued to boost our railway infrastructure with the completion of a good number of critical railways and at the same time rehabilitating as well as upgrading obsolete equipment.

34. I am pleased to inform my fellow citizens that besides our emphasis on infrastructural development with its attendant opportunities for job creation, employment generation and subsequent poverty reduction, our focused intervention directly to Nigerians through the National Social Investment Programme is also yielding benefits.

35. There is hardly any ward, village or local government in Nigeria today that has not benefited from one of the following: N-Power, trader-moni, market moni, subsidized loans, business grants or Conditional Cash Transfers.

36. 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 succor to the affected Nigerians.

37. Fellow Nigerians, no matter what gains we make, 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.

38. It is for this reason that 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. I also want to express my wish that we see more female and youth participation in the forthcoming 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.

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

I thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Lifestyle, Politics

Independence Day: Return to classrooms, President Buhari urges striking lecturers

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President Muhammadu Buhari delivered a Nationwide broadcast this morning to commemorate the 62nd Independence day celebration of the country.

During his speech, President Buhari urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU to call off its over seven-month industrial strike and return to the classrooms.

ASUU has been on strike since February 14, 2022 over contending issues including unpaid allowances and poor welfare.

“I am using this Independence Day celebration to reiterate my call for the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities to return to the classroom while assuring them to deal with their contending issues within the limit of the scarce resources,” the President said in his broadcast.

The President also said he shared the pains Nigerians are going through and assured them that his administration is doing all possible to alleviate the situation.

Lifestyle, Politics

FG to inaugurate climate change council, targets zero-emission

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The Federal Government has concluded plans to formally inaugurate the National Climate Change Council and its Secretariat, pursuant to the Climate Change Act 2021.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had in November 2021, signed the Climate Change Bill into law. This was the basis for the establishment of the climate change council.

A statement released by the presidency revealed the government’s approach to mobilising Nigerians to transition the country to a low-carbon economy and society in line with global best practices.

It read, “The Climate Change Act 2021, signed into law by President Buhari on November 2021, provides an overarching legal framework to achieve Nigeria’s long-term climate goals.

These goals include meeting Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions; among which is President Buhari’s pledge, at the COP 26, for Nigeria to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

“In addition to making provision for National Climate resilience, the Act institutionalises climate reporting, auditing, finance and funding through fiscal and other mechanisms and incentives, while also mainstreaming climate change actions into national development priorities, and imposing climate obligations, including reporting, on both public and private sector institutions.

“The act thus requires a whole-of-government approach to mobilise all Nigerians to transition our country to a low-carbon economy and society.

The NCCC is the implementing body charged with superintending the CCA and coordinating government and society in transitioning to a low carbon economy.

“Given the existential import if its mandate, it necessarily transcends any single government ministry, department or agency.

The council is thus a reflection of this. It comprises broad membership from government, organised labour, the private sector and civil society.

The NCCC is supported by a secretariat that is headed by a Director General.

“As part of the process of putting this implementing mechanism in to effect the government is aware of the need to promptly appoint a director general to lead the secretariat upon inauguration.

Hence the president’s directive to screen the recommended candidates, from whom the pioneer director general will be unveiled and announced.” The statement concluded

Politics

There are saboteurs in Buhari’s administration – Yahaya Bello

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Governor Yahaya Bello has raised an alarm of saboteurs in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Bello made the claim when asked to comment on the alarming debt ratio, the high rate of youth unemployment and the worrying migration of medical workers under the Buhari administration as revealed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), during an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday September 21.

He said; “Most times we question and query the statistics because I am most affected sometimes.

For instance, the NBS or in the media or out there, people used to say that Kogi State is owing salaries or not paying salaries.

“Even an elite once put it on his Facebook post that I was owing salaries of 18 or 12 months.

And that person is supposed to be a credible leader in his own right. And within a few hours, he had to put down that information. So, there are information out there that are misleading.

“But that is not to say there are no areas to be improved upon in this government. But the fact is that there are saboteurs. Still, in the midst of all of that, the country is moving on.

The President continues to improve on our infrastructure.“On the issue of National Bureau of Statistics, a federal government agency Mr President inherited but did not rejig appropriately, will not be there to sabotage and dish out numbers.

“And for them to come out clean, they need to show us the methodologies they applied, let us see the processes they applied for them to come up with these numbers.”

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Buhari celebrates juju maestro, Sunny Ade, at 76

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday, celebrated juju music maestro and multi-instrumentalist, Sunday Adegeye, better known as King Sunny Ade, who turns 76 on September 22.

Buhari’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled ‘President Buhari hails King Sunny Ade at 76.’

According to Adesina, “President Buhari rejoices with the internationally renowned artiste, who is the first Nigerian to be nominated for Grammy in the 80’s, playing a significant role in the huge success of the country’s music industry, with influence across genres, including Hollywood, where his songs were featured in many movies.

“As the talented guitarist turns 76, the President extols the gifted songwriter, producer and visiting professor of music at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife for taking Nigeria’s local beats to the world, exporting the rich culture and placing instruments like the ‘talking drum’ on global spotlight for research and adaption.”

Buhari noted that the recognitions and awards—including the national award, Member of the Federal Republic—the multi-talented entertainer has received over the years are well deserved.

He, therefore, prayed for his good health, strength and grace of more creativity.

Politics

Presidency is not a regional issue. Igbos should wait till next time – Orji Uzor Kalu

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Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has said that Igbos should sit out the 2023 presidential election and wait for another election cycle.

Briefing reporters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday September 20, Kalu said the presidency is not a regional issue and can only be won with the support of other geo-political zones.

He said;

“Presidency is not a regional issue. I asked the political parties to zone the presidency to the South East. When they didn’t do that, and since presidency is not a regional issue, I had to withdraw.

“I have no problem with Igbo man being president. But we have to do it with other Nigerians. If we don’t do it with other Nigerians, it is not going to work, no matter how popular you are.

It’s president of Nigeria, not president of Igboland.“I’m an Igbo man to the core. I’m also a Nigerian to the core. If anyone from the Southeast would have been nominated for presidency, I would have been the one. So, it’s a party business.

I have no grudges against anybody who is running.“So, it is not personal. It is political and party. This thing is about party winning elections.

I have chosen to be in APC. Why will I vote against Tinubu? It’s madness, and I’m not going to do it. Elections go along party line, not along tribal line.

“For me, we will wait for another time and see how all Nigerians will agree to zone the presidency to the Igboland.

But for now, our presidential candidate is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tinubu is a strategic leader, he will make his presidency beneficial to the Igbo.

The Igbo will be the biggest beneficiaries of Tinubu’s presidency.”

Politics

I’m expecting further detail on response to the worrisome situation by the police, the military and other security agencies – Buhari speaks on attack on Ubah

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President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the attack on the convoy of the Senator representing Anambra South District, Ifeanyi Ubah.

In a statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said he’s “closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further detail on the response to the situation by the police, the military and other security agencies.”

The President stated that he is deeply concerned about the activities of armed groups in the region and in other parts of the country.

Buhari who prayed for the quick recovery of the senator and all those that were injured, also prayed for the early return of peace and security in Anambra State and all other areas.

The statement added;

“We are closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further detail on the response to the worrisome situation by the police, the military and other security agencies.

“The nation has lost four brave policemen and other aides of the senator. On behalf of the government and the people, I pay homage to these security men and the aides who were brutally murdered.

Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time.”

Politics

Nigeria to phase out kerosene usage by 2030 – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the federal government’s plan to jettison kerosene consumption by 2030 when gas supply would have been total.

Buhari made the pronouncement in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 15th Annual Banking and Finance Conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Represented by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs Zainab Ahmed, President Buhari emphasised that long-term greenhouse emissions have resulted in hotter temperatures, more severe rainstorms, increased drought and food security issues.

“To tackle this issue, the government has set plans in motion to significantly reduce greenhouse emissions from Nigeria. More specifically, by 2030, we aim to eliminate kerosene lighting as well as short-lived pollutants in the oil and gas sector,” he said.

On the raging inflation across the globe, he attributed the scary inflation figures across the world to fast-rising consumer demand in a world that was yet to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now facing the Russia-Ukraine war.

Politics

President Buhari visits Imo state amid IPOB sit-at-home order

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President Buhari is currently on a state visit to Imo state.

The President was received by the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, and other members of his cabinet at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport.

The President is in the state to commission some projects. His visit is coming amid a sit-at-home order in the south-east issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Videos

FG to partner Qatar for cultural promotion

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Nigerian Ambassador on Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Qatar, Yakubu Ahmed, has called for a partnership between the two countries, in promoting the culture of Nigeria in Qatar.

Ambassador Ahmed made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the General Manager & Chairman of the Kiahf Committee of Katara Cultural Foundation, Prof. Khalid Al Sulaiti, on Sunday.

While on a guided tour of the Katara Cultural Village, the Nigerian Principal Representative informed his Qatari host of the rich cultural diversity of Nigeria, expressed through traditional festivities featuring carnivals, boat rides, fishing, dances, songs, horse riding, and masquerades across the different ethnic linings.

In a statement released by the Ambassador’s office on Monday, he buttressed that the mission would explore possibilities of inviting interested public and private artists and art galleries in Nigeria to share their wares and talents at the Cultural Village in Doha.

In his briefing, the General Manager of Katara, Al Sulaiti, welcomed the idea of the partnership and encouraged the embassy to use the facilities in the cultural village to showcase Nigerian culture, via a series of exhibitions.

He pledged his support for any such events the Embassy would be willing to organise.

Politics

Threat to impeach Buhari laughable – President’s in-law

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Alhaji Sani Mohammed Sha’aban, an in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari and a former House of Representatives member and 2023 All Progressives Congress’ Governorship Aspirant in Kaduna State, has described threats to impeach the Nigerian leader as a joke.

Sha’aban who accused lawmakers of being partly responsible for the economic and security challenges bedeviling the country, alleged that they’ve failed in their oversight functions, especially on security and economy.

He also claimed that the national assembly members who failed in their representative duties and lack what they will tell their constituents in their re-election campaigns, were behind the impeachment saga, as they want to use President Buhari as scapegoat.

Sha’aban said;

“I look at the stand they (National Assembly members) took as a huge joke. In fact, it is laughable.

“One thing we should know is that Nigeria is not operating in isolation, the rest of the world is watching us. We are in a democracy, even though we borrowed the system from the western world, the other part of the world doesn’t practice democracy the way we are practicing ours.

“We should realize that in the House of Representatives, the Senate, they function under various committees and those committees are in charge of what we call oversight functions but what is happening today? Where are the oversight functions? What happened to reports of activities within the security apparatus?

“So, if anybody will wake up today, coming from the Senate or House of Representatives and points accusing fingers on President Buhari on security, I challenge that person to go and impeach Buhari tomorrow if he dares.

“As you point your finger, millions of people from your constituency will point finger at you. You say you are representing them, is it when it pinches most that you will find a scapegoat? And you want to make Buhari a scapegoat?”

“Was there any time when there was financial request and he passed it and the heads of agencies, the service chiefs and others in charge of security…. was there any time they were punished by the National Assembly? So, why President Buhari? Who is deceiving who? So, let us treat this matter very seriously.

“I happen to come from Zaria and there’s no place in the world that I can cherish, respect and value than my origin.

Wherever I go in the world, I don’t feel comfortable until I step foot in Zaria, because that is where I come from. But today, Zaria is under the siege of bandits, you can hardly sleep.

“So, this is not a joke. Our farmers cannot go to farm, our schools are closed down, so many institutions are close down, we can barely go out to carry out our basic activities for the day without the fear of being kidnapped, bandits are coming from left, right and centre.

“Look at Giwa, look at Birnin-Gwari, Chikun, Kajuru. All these are parts of Kaduna that, today whether you like it or not, you cannot afford to stay beyond 6:00pm, you have to move.

“But then, somebody will just come because he feels the time is here to recontest and come back to the National Assembly and he doesn’t want his people to ask him what he has done as their Senator or Rep member. So, he can be saying it is the fault of Buhari. That is bullshit. We must tell ourselves the truth.”

Politics

Nigerians will appreciate my govt soon- President Muhammed Buhari

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday vowed that his government would not allow any candidate use their “personal resources or influence to intimidate other Nigerians” ahead of the next year general elections.

He added that in six months, Nigerians will appreciate his government that it respects them.According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke when he received members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by its Chairman, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, at the State House, Abuja.

The statement was titled ‘Why I believe in non-interference in the political process, Buhari.’Citing the outcome of the Ekiti, Anambra and Osun States governorship elections, the President assured Nigerians of his desire to bequeath strong political institutions through non-interference in elections.

This, he noted, would give credence to the political process, ensure participation and inclusiveness, and show that the governing party respects the electorate.

The President said,

“I want Nigerians to know that we respect them, and for us to show that, we will allow them to vote who they want.

We all witnessed what happened in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states. What happened in those states gives me a lot of hope that we are succeeding.

“We will not allow anyone to use personal resources or their influence to intimidate other Nigerians. We will not allow intimidations materially, morally or physically. This is the kind of leadership that can emerge and consolidate our nation.

“In six months, Nigerians will appreciate the government of the All Progressives Congress that we are sincere and we respect them.’’

To the APC political leaders, he called for intensified efforts in “thinking, meeting and strategising for the 2023 elections.’’

In his remarks, the Chairman of the PGF thanked the President for his leadership, affirming that the Nigerian economy had been growing, in spite of challenges.

“We want to congratulate you on the positive trajectory of the economy, with the 3.5% growth in the second quarter, up from 3.1% of the first quarter of this year. Infrastructure projects are ongoing in different parts of the country, and the social intervention programme is expanding,’’

Bagudu stated.

However, the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Debo Olugunagba, said the President’s statement was an acknowledgement of the need to ensure free, fair and credible elections “without unnecessary interference by money bags.”Ologunagba stated,

“We believe that this election should be based on issues, not about who can purchase who.

We know that the leaders and the veterans of the APC, as reported in various media, are always interested in buying votes and trying as much as possible to derail the will of the Nigerian people, either by corruptly buying votes, or unleashing violence, which of course, we have the records.

“So, if the President says that today, that is a welcome development, with the hope that the President will keep his word for once on that, because if his performance in other sectors, particularly security, is anything to go by, then we need to take that statement with a pinch of salt.’’

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