Ahead of tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has again appealed to Nigerians to come out en-mass to vote for their preferred candidates.
The President, in a nationwide broadcast on Friday, appealed to 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
He urged Nigerians not to allow anyone to discourage them from the exercise of their rights as citizens and voters
“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.
Already, federal government has mobi,iced security agencies to ensure peaceful polls as citizens are assured that they will be able to exercise their Civic responsibilities in an atmosphere of openness and peace, devoid of fear from threat or intimidation.
He also noted that International and domestic monitors and observers are assured of their safety and freedom of movement needed to perform their important functions.
While expressing government appreciation to domestic monitors and observers for their contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, Buhari noted that “democracy is the most beneficial way to select a nation’s leaders, it is far from the easiest thing to achieve and maintain.
“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.
“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.
Speaking on INEC decisions to postpone the election, he noted that many were worried and thought the worst might happen, adding that Nigerians however proved them wrong by showing that they are a great people with an abiding love for peace, democracy and the unity of our country.
The President, while also expressing confidence in inec’s ability to conduct free fair and credible election, observed that INEC, in their daily public briefings this week, had assured that “it is ready and fully prepared to conduct the election in a free, fair and transparent manner.
“I believe INEC realises the profound and weighty duty that rests upon it.
He urged Nigerians to have faith in INEC and cast aside doubt, INEC will rise to the occasion. We must believe and encourage INEC to fulfill and honour this responsibility it owes to our country.
“To vote means that you believe in Nigeria and the excellent things the future holds for this nation and its people.
“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.
“All who are able, must vote so that we may better perfect this democracy and continue to build the greater nation we seek.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
