President Muhammadu Buhari said the national and state elections held on 25th February and 18th March have shown that Nigerians have the power and freedom to choose their leaders and representatives. He expressed satisfaction with his role in the electoral process and felt that there had been no interference or interference in any form.
The President speaks at the state capital Abuja, welcoming the outgoing US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard.
He added that Naira’s redesign and cash-withdrawal policies have helped curb election temptations (buying votes).
Also, he expressed satisfaction with the amazing passion for democracy that Nigerians are showing through their decisions. Especially in president/national assembly and governor/state council elections, Buhari said Nigeria’s democracy has truly matured.
The statement reads-
“People are realizing their power. Given the chance of a free and fair vote, nobody can tell them what to do. I am unhappy that some candidates lost the election. But I am inspired by the fact that voters were able to make their own decision, to decide who won and who lost. With the currency change, there was no money to spread around but even then, I told voters to take the money and vote according to their consciences.”
The President commended the ambassador for the enormous achievements recorded in the Nigeria-U.S. relations under her watch in the last three-and-half years.
After listing some of the challenges faced by Nigeria in her strives to unite diverse communities and achieve national development, Buhari expressed his appreciation of the role played by the U.S.
The President said he enjoyed working with the envoy. He also wished that she had more time to stay in the country.
In response to a question she posed, Buhari said he planned to be a “big landlord” back home. He wants to work on his farms and tend to more than 300 animals. “I am eager to go,” said the President.
Leonard also said she was happy with the progress recorded in Nigeria-U.S. relations during her tenure.
She listed the institution of a five-year visa regime between the two countries; active collaboration in security and the supply of military hardware, including warplanes and the soon-to-come fighter helicopters; cooperation in the health sector to fight HIV and COVID-19 response as some of the feats attained.
The outgoing envoy gave assurances that the U.S. will continue to assist in the strengthening of Nigeria’s health sector.
She expressed her gratitude and that of the U.S. government for the role being played by President Buhari in ensuring regional security and strengthening democracy as a system of government. She cited his strong response against the recent surge of coup-d’état in West Africa as worthy of commendation.
According to her, there are still more things the President could do. She cited the need to urgently remove the petrol subsidy as one such thing.
cc: The Nations Ng
