Multi-party democracy best for Nigeria – President Buhari; Directs security agencies to ensure hitch free polls in Ondo, Rivers

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday declared that multi-party system remains the best option in Nigeria’s democracy considering the diverse population of the country.
Speaking at the commissioning of Edo State University, Iyamho, in Etsako West local government area of Edo State, President Buhari urged Nigerians to appreciate the strength in the country’s diverse ethnic and social groups.
“We believe in multi-party democracy system it is the best for us. In a country of over 450 ethnic groups, it is not easy to come together, only God can do it.
“We are doing our best because we have found ourselves as part of this great country called Nigeria,’’ the President said.
President Buhari, who concluded a two-day state visit to Edo, encouraged Nigerians to view the current economic challenges in the country as an opportunity to set the economy firmly on the path of true diversification and sustainable economic growth.
“We are blessed with human and material resources. We made terrible mistakes in allowing ourselves to become a mono economy and we are now paying dearly for our mistakes.
“Nigeria made money from cocoa, palm oil, palm kernel, groundnut, hides and skin and others. We threw everything away because of petroleum.
“We have to go back to the land and solid minerals and do a lot of savings so that we can leave a better country for our children.’’
President Buhari expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their understanding and faith with the administrations reform programmes.
“This is a time for hardwork, this is a time of rebuilding Nigeria.
“During my campaigns, I emphasized three things, security, economy and fighting corruption. In each of them, we are recording success,” the President said.
President Buhari congratulated outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomhole on his stewardship during his eight-year tenure, aptly demonstrated in the quality of projects completed in the state.
“Certainly, Governor Oshiomhole is lucky to have served two-terms in office and he has engraved his name in gold in the history of Edo state,’’ the President said.
In his remarks, Gov. Oshiomhole urged Nigerians not to relent in supporting the current administration, saying “Nigeria has a future under Buhari; there is no overnight solution to the country’s problems.’’
President Buhar has also directed security agencies to do their utmost in ensuring violence-free elections in Ondo and Rivers states.
Speaking at a state dinner in Benin, on Monday, he said the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ondo and National and State Assembly rerun elections in Rivers will serve as a litmus test for the general elections in 2019.
‘‘What happened in [the last elections] Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers States disturbs me a lot.
‘‘I think we should go beyond these actions. Why do we kill each other? Putting tyres on people and setting them ablaze.
‘‘I have told the law enforcement agencies, if we can’t conduct an election in one state then we should forget about 2019,’’ the President said.
Acknowledging the role played by outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomhole in ensuring the success of the APC in the last gubernatorial elections in the state, President Buhari challenged the Governor-elect, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to continue in Oshiomhole’s footsteps of providing purposeful leadership in terms of quality infrastructure, education and social services.
‘‘The publicity your predecessor has given his performance is going to stretch you to the limit.
“Considering what he has done, you have to continue in his footsteps. We wish you the best of luck and will do our best to support you,’’ the President said.
On the current economic challenges in the country, the President assured Nigerians that his administration was working hard on diversification of the economy to limit the country’s over-dependence on oil over the years.
“This country has incredible mineral resources. All we need is to believe in ourselves so that we can have and leave a better Nigeria for our children and grandchildren,’’ the President said.