President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians of voting age to be circumspect and elect in 2023 those that can sustain the momentum already created by his administration for the good of Nigeria in the last seven and half years.
In a Christmas message to Nigerian Christians personally signed by him on Saturday, the President noted that the joyous season coincided with the period of campaigns to usher in a new administration in the country.
He urged Nigerians to be circumspect and vote for those that will maintain the momentum “we have created for the greater good of the country”.
According to him: “It is another opportunity to show the rest of the world that Nigeria is indeed ready to consolidate its democratic credentials as has been noted in international circles. Let the peace and joy that pervade this period continue well into the new year up to the elections in February and beyond”.
President Buhari called on Nigerians to renew their hope in a united nation and pledged his readiness to provide the political and logistics support to the states, armed forces and individuals working for the stability and progress of Nigeria.
His words: “Together we can make this celebration a spectacular one by renewing our pledge and common resolve to work for the unity and prosperity of our dear country.
“Until my last day in office, I will continue to provide political and material support to sub-national governments, the Armed Forces, institutions and individuals working wholeheartedly for the peace, unity, stability and progress of Nigeria.
“The advances we have made so far on the economic front, especially in infrastructure; food security, anti-corruption, security, energy sufficiency, among others, will need to be built on”.
The President also assured Nigerians that those bent on disrupting the peace of the nation have lost the battle adding that Nigeria is richly blessed with human and material resources.
“I want to assure Nigerians that those who violently seek to disrupt the peace of our nation have lost the battle.
Our country is blessed with a wealth of human and material resources. Let’s celebrate our blessings this season with the trust that a better dawn awaits Nigeria”.
President Buhari further said in the Christmas message: “I heartily rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Christmas.
“Many of us look forward to this festive season as a time to travel, share gifts, spend quality time with family and friends, attend special carols and events, and generally relive the good moments of the year. In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, Christmas is a period when we come together to rejoice and set aside our differences.
“For me and my family, this year’s celebration is unique. It is my last as your elected President. Twenty-two weeks from now, this administration will hand over to another.
“In the last seven years, I have had the privilege of receiving members of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) community on Christmas homage, except the year the COVID-19 pandemic denied us that opportunity. I will fondly remember them as my benevolent landlords and friendly neighbours.
“It is crucial that I remember this about my closest neighbours because there is no better way for us to celebrate Christmas as a people than showing genuine love, care, compassion and empathy for one another.
“We must never lose sight of the symbiotic relationship between Christmas and hope; Jesus Christ and humility, Christianity and grace.
In this season of love, joy and peace, let us not fail to remember those who really wish to celebrate but are constrained in one way or the other by reaching out to them”.
Deji Elumoye
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