I will do more in my second term – President Buhari; Addresses Nigerians on Governorship/State Assembly polls

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to work harder to consolidate on providing security, improving the economy, creating jobs, fighting corruption and upgrading infrastructure, following his re-election for a second term in office.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), speaking at the State House, Abuja on Wednesday when he received the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, on a courtesy visit, President Buhari said:

“This is my last lap. I will try and work even harder than I have done. I assure you that I will not let you down. I pray that my best will be good enough.”

The President, who thanked members of the ACF for their consistent and dogged support, said he remained appreciative of their goodwill.

Speaking on behalf of the ACF, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mallam Adamu Fika, said the organisation had visited to congratulate him on his re-election.

Recalling some strategic projects important to the North and the country as a whole abandoned up until 2015 such as the Baro Dry Port and Mambilla Hydro Power station, Mallam Fika said:

“It is pleasing to note that since then, the Baro Dry Port has been commissioned, while some other projects have been reactivated and are now being implemented.”

“We pray that those organs of government charged with the responsibility for the implementation will double their efforts to ensure that these projects are executed fully to their logical conclusion within reasonable time,” he added.

Addressing Nigerians on Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly election, President Buhari urged the electorate to come out in large numbers to perform their civic responsibilities assuring that security would be guaranteed.

Full text of the address:

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS ON THE FORTHCOMING GUBERNATORIAL AND STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
6TH MARCH 2019 (TRANSCRIPT)

The second and final phase of the 2019 general elections comes up on Saturday, March 9, with Nigerians voting for governors and members of Houses of Assembly in the states.

Let me once again extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives or sustained injuries as a result of accidents or criminal violence during the elections.

The onus is once again on qualified people to turn out in large numbers to exercise their civic rights.

With the presidential poll behind us, let us not become complacent, and fail to vote in the gubernatorial poll.

The forthcoming elections are as important for good governance as that of the presidency and the National Assembly.

Indeed, governance at the state level is closer to us, and should touch our lives more directly. That is why it is vital for us to participate in the choice of who governs us at the state levels.

I, therefore, urge you to troop out massively on Saturday to elect your governors and state lawmakers.

As a member of the All Progressives Congress, I recommend those standing on the platform of the party to you, as we are guided by progressive ideals, and we will not disappoint you.

Equally, I urge you to comport yourself properly, as you turn out for the election.

Avoid all deviant behaviours like ballot stuffing, ballot snatching, and any other action that does not conform with best electoral practices.

I assure you that the security agencies will be on hand to protect voters, and ensure that the process is not undermined in anyway.

Let make the gubernatorial polls, much better than the presidential, which Local and International observers have adjudged to be free and fair.

May I repeat my appeal to our young people: do not allow yourselves to be used to cause violence or to break the law or otherwise disturb the peace.

I have pledged decent and credible electoral system for our country. I stand by that promise.

Let us together do the right thing on Saturday, so that the best hands can emerge at the states, and take us faster to the Next Level.

Thank you, and God bless our country. Amen.

Muhammadu Buhari