He vowed never to allow such happen under him.
Buhari
made his position known in a national speech to mark the nation’s 57th
independence anniversary on Saturday. He is expected to address the
nation at 7am on Sunday (today).
made his position known in a national speech to mark the nation’s 57th
independence anniversary on Saturday. He is expected to address the
nation at 7am on Sunday (today).
The
President said under his watch, Nigeria had witnessed what he called
political freedom that saw opposition parties winning elections at the
state and National Assembly levels.
President said under his watch, Nigeria had witnessed what he called
political freedom that saw opposition parties winning elections at the
state and National Assembly levels.
He said the growing political development, like all freedoms, was open to abuse, hence the recent development.
He
noted that those agitating for a repeat of the nation’s civil war that
claimed two million lives were not born by 1967 and had no idea of the
consequences of the conflict.
noted that those agitating for a repeat of the nation’s civil war that
claimed two million lives were not born by 1967 and had no idea of the
consequences of the conflict.
Buhari
said he was also disappointed in some community leaders who witnessed
the war and still failed to warn their “hot-headed” youths of what the
nation passed through.
said he was also disappointed in some community leaders who witnessed
the war and still failed to warn their “hot-headed” youths of what the
nation passed through.
He
reiterated his position that any desired constitutional change should
take place in a rational manner only at the national and state Houses of
Assembly.
reiterated his position that any desired constitutional change should
take place in a rational manner only at the national and state Houses of
Assembly.
He
said the assignment could not be left in the hands of “some lopsided,
un-democratic body with a pre-determined set of objectives.”
said the assignment could not be left in the hands of “some lopsided,
un-democratic body with a pre-determined set of objectives.”
The
President said, “In the past two years, Nigeria has recorded
appreciable gains in political freedom. A political party at the centre
losing governorship elections, National Assembly seats and even state
assemblies to opposition parties are new to Nigeria.
President said, “In the past two years, Nigeria has recorded
appreciable gains in political freedom. A political party at the centre
losing governorship elections, National Assembly seats and even state
assemblies to opposition parties are new to Nigeria.
“Added
to these is a complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate
opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country’s growing
political development.
to these is a complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate
opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country’s growing
political development.
“Recent
calls for re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let
in highly irresponsible groups to call for the dismemberment of the
country. We cannot and we will not allow such advocacy.
calls for re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let
in highly irresponsible groups to call for the dismemberment of the
country. We cannot and we will not allow such advocacy.
Buhari
“As
a young army officer, I took part from the beginning to the end of our
tragic civil war costing about two million lives, resulting in fearful
destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a rerun
were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of
the civil conflict which we went through.
a young army officer, I took part from the beginning to the end of our
tragic civil war costing about two million lives, resulting in fearful
destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a rerun
were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of
the civil conflict which we went through.
“Government
is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger
Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the
communities.
is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger
Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the
communities.
“Government is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.”
Buhari
again said in spite of oil prices being an average of $100 per barrel
and about 2.1 million barrels a day in the past years, the nation’s
wealth was squandered and the country’s social and physical
infrastructure neglected.
again said in spite of oil prices being an average of $100 per barrel
and about 2.1 million barrels a day in the past years, the nation’s
wealth was squandered and the country’s social and physical
infrastructure neglected.
He added that Nigerians were left with no savings and huge infrastructure deficit.
“The APC government’s rallying cry to restore security, rebalance the economy and fight corruption was not all rhetoric.
“The country must first be secured. The economy must be rebalanced so that we do not depend on oil alone.
“We must fight corruption, which is Nigeria’s number one enemy. Our administration is tackling these tasks in earnest,” he said.
The
President highlighted some of the achievements of his administration in
the last two years in the areas of security, economy, and the fight
against corruption.
President highlighted some of the achievements of his administration in
the last two years in the areas of security, economy, and the fight
against corruption.
He
said as the nation entered the second half of his four-year term of
office, he intended to accelerate progress and intensify his resolve to
fix the country’s challenges and problems.
said as the nation entered the second half of his four-year term of
office, he intended to accelerate progress and intensify his resolve to
fix the country’s challenges and problems.
Buhari
On
security, he said Nigerians must be grateful to the nation’s Armed
Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism,
defeating them and reducing them to “cowardly attacks on soft and
vulnerable targets.”
security, he said Nigerians must be grateful to the nation’s Armed
Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism,
defeating them and reducing them to “cowardly attacks on soft and
vulnerable targets.”
He thanked the country’s neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat terrorism.
“Government
is working round the clock to ensure the release of the remaining
Chibok girls, as well as other persons in Boko Haram captivity.
Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security
agencies to fight not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robbery,
herdsmen/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in
our country,” he added.
is working round the clock to ensure the release of the remaining
Chibok girls, as well as other persons in Boko Haram captivity.
Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security
agencies to fight not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robbery,
herdsmen/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in
our country,” he added.
On the economy, the President said his government has remained proactive in its diversification policy.
He
said the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, launched in
November 2015, has been an outstanding success with N43.92bn released
through the CBN and 13 participating institutions.
said the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, launched in
November 2015, has been an outstanding success with N43.92bn released
through the CBN and 13 participating institutions.
He
also said 200,000 smallholder farmers from 29 states of the federation
were benefitting; with 233,000 hectares of farmland being used to
cultivate eight commodities, namely, rice, wheat, maize, cotton, soya
bean, poultry, cassava, groundnuts and fish farming.
also said 200,000 smallholder farmers from 29 states of the federation
were benefitting; with 233,000 hectares of farmland being used to
cultivate eight commodities, namely, rice, wheat, maize, cotton, soya
bean, poultry, cassava, groundnuts and fish farming.
These initiatives, he said, were undertaken in close collaboration with the states.
He
commended the efforts of the governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and
Jigawa states for their support to the rice and fertiliser revolutions.
commended the efforts of the governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and
Jigawa states for their support to the rice and fertiliser revolutions.
He
also commended the governors of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River,
Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau states for their support of the
Presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes
and others crops.
also commended the governors of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River,
Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau states for their support of the
Presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes
and others crops.
Buhari added, “With the abundance of rainfall last year and this year, agriculture has enjoyed divine intervention.
“Since
December last year, this administration has produced over seven million
50kg bags of fertiliser. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1
million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150m in
foreign exchange and N60bn in subsidy. Fertiliser prices have dropped
from N13,000 to N5,500 per 50kg bag.
December last year, this administration has produced over seven million
50kg bags of fertiliser. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1
million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150m in
foreign exchange and N60bn in subsidy. Fertiliser prices have dropped
from N13,000 to N5,500 per 50kg bag.
“Furthermore,
a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the
federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths,
again with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.
a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the
federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths,
again with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.
“Power
remains a huge problem. As of September 12, production of power reached
an all-time high of 7,001 megawatts. Government is increasing its
investment, clearing up the operational and financial logjam bedevilling
the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 megawatts by 2020.
remains a huge problem. As of September 12, production of power reached
an all-time high of 7,001 megawatts. Government is increasing its
investment, clearing up the operational and financial logjam bedevilling
the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 megawatts by 2020.
“Key
priorities include better energy mix through solar and hydro
technologies. I am glad to say that after many years in limbo, the
Mambilla Power Project has taken off.
priorities include better energy mix through solar and hydro
technologies. I am glad to say that after many years in limbo, the
Mambilla Power Project has taken off.
“Elsewhere
in the economy, the special window created for manufacturers, investors
and exporters and foreign exchange requirements has proved very
effective. Since April, about $7bn has come through this window alone.
The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy
and better investment sentiments.
in the economy, the special window created for manufacturers, investors
and exporters and foreign exchange requirements has proved very
effective. Since April, about $7bn has come through this window alone.
The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy
and better investment sentiments.
“The
country has recorded seven consecutive months of lower inflation, naira
rate is beginning to stabilise, appreciating from N525 per $1 in
February this year to N360 today. Broad-based economic growth is leading
us out of recession.
country has recorded seven consecutive months of lower inflation, naira
rate is beginning to stabilise, appreciating from N525 per $1 in
February this year to N360 today. Broad-based economic growth is leading
us out of recession.
“Furthermore,
in order to stabilise the polity, the Federal Government gave
additional support to states in the form of State Excess Crude Account
loans, Budget Support Facility, and Stabilisation Fund Release to state
and local government as follows: N200bn in 2015; N441bn in 2016; and
N1tn in 2017, totalling N1.642tn.
in order to stabilise the polity, the Federal Government gave
additional support to states in the form of State Excess Crude Account
loans, Budget Support Facility, and Stabilisation Fund Release to state
and local government as follows: N200bn in 2015; N441bn in 2016; and
N1tn in 2017, totalling N1.642tn.
The
President added that government’s current N500bn Special Intervention
Programme was targeting groups through the Home-grown School Feeding
Programme; N-Power job creation to provide loans to small-scale traders
and artisans; Conditional Cash Transfer; Family Homes Fund and Social
Housing Scheme.
President added that government’s current N500bn Special Intervention
Programme was targeting groups through the Home-grown School Feeding
Programme; N-Power job creation to provide loans to small-scale traders
and artisans; Conditional Cash Transfer; Family Homes Fund and Social
Housing Scheme.
On corruption, Buhari said he was aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task.
He
said his administration expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to
fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion.
said his administration expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to
fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion.
Notwithstanding, he reaffirmed his administration’s determination to eradicate corruption from the nation.
He
said the government had empowered teams of prosecutors, assembled
detailed databases, and accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.
said the government had empowered teams of prosecutors, assembled
detailed databases, and accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.
Buhari
listed new institutional reforms to include enforcement of Treasury
Single Account, the Whistle-blower Policy, and the Integrated Payroll
Personnel and Information System.
listed new institutional reforms to include enforcement of Treasury
Single Account, the Whistle-blower Policy, and the Integrated Payroll
Personnel and Information System.
Saying
there were signs of increasing cooperation from the judiciary in the
fight against corruption, he called on the National Assembly to ensure
swift passage of anti-corruption laws.
there were signs of increasing cooperation from the judiciary in the
fight against corruption, he called on the National Assembly to ensure
swift passage of anti-corruption laws.
He
added, “We have signed multilateral agreements on criminal matters with
friendly countries. There are signs of increasing cooperation from the
judiciary.
added, “We have signed multilateral agreements on criminal matters with
friendly countries. There are signs of increasing cooperation from the
judiciary.
“Recently,
the Chief Justice of the Federation directed heads of all our courts of
first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases
and dismiss any judicial officers found to have been compromised.
the Chief Justice of the Federation directed heads of all our courts of
first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases
and dismiss any judicial officers found to have been compromised.
“Justice
Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft
committee. Government expects a lot from this committee.
Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft
committee. Government expects a lot from this committee.
“I commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees.
“They
should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption laws.
But fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation.”
should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption laws.
But fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation.”