”Go Out And Vote” President Buhari Urges Nigerians In National Broadcast (Read Full Text)

”Go Out And Vote” President Buhari Urges Nigerians In National Broadcast (Read Full Text)

Ahead of tommorrow’s presidential election, President Buhari this
morning had a National broadcast where he challenged Nigerians to come
out and perform their civic rights to vote for any candidate of their
choice. He said eligible voters were duty bound to participate in
electing a government that would lead Nigeria to its finest destiny.

The President said that Nigerians should not allow anyone to
discourage them from exercising their rights as citizens and voters on
Saturday. He asked Nigerians not to be afraid of rumours of violence and
unrest, saying that the nation’s security agencies would ensure that
adequate security measures were in place.

“Tomorrow is an encounter with history in which you, the people,
shall affirm your collective belief in our national greatness and in our
future. I ask that you embrace and hold on to the importance of the
moment soon to be upon us. 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. Do not allow anyone to discourage you from the exercise of your
rights as citizens and voters tomorrow (Saturday). 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.’’

Read the full text of his speech below

Dear Nigerians,

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.