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| Major General Muhammadu Buhari. |
By Ismaila Chafe
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his
intention not to contest the 2023 presidential elections but determined to help
strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS).
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several
ECOWAS members will be going to the polls in 2020.
Buhari made his feelings known in a letter to
Nigerians issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi
Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday to mark the commencement of 2020.
He said his decision to help strengthen the
electoral process, particularly in Nigeria, was informed by the frustrations
the nation’s electoral system had triggered.
“Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy.
“I salute the commitment of the millions who voted
in peace last February and of those leaders who contested for office vigorously
but fairly, submitting to the authority of the electorate, the Independent
National Electoral Commission and judicial process.
“I understand very well the frustrations our system
has in the past triggered. I will be standing down in 2023 and will not be
available in any future elections.
“But I am determined to help strengthen the
electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region, where several ECOWAS
members go to the polls this year,’’ he said.
On security, the president said: “As
Commander-in-Chief, my primary concern is the security of the nation and the
safety of our citizens.
“When I assumed office in May 2015 my first task was
to rally our neighbours so that we could confront Boko Haram on a coordinated
regional basis. Chaos is not a neighbour any of us hope for.
“We have been fighting on several fronts: violent
extremists, cultists and organised criminal networks. It has not been easy.
“But as we are winning the war, we also look to the
challenge of winning the peace, the reconstruction of lives, communities and
markets.’’
According to the president, the North East
Development Commission will work with local and international stakeholders to
help create a new beginning for the region.
He also expressed government’s readiness to continue
to work with State Governors, neighbouring countries and the international
partners to tackle the root causes of violent extremism and the networks that
help finance and organise terror.
“Our security forces will receive the best training
and modern weaponry, and in turn will be held to the highest standards of
professionalism and respect for human rights.
“We will use all the human and emerging
technological resources available to tackle kidnapping, banditry and armed
robbery.
“The new Ministry of Police Affairs increased
recruitment of officers and the security reforms being introduced will build on
what we are already delivering.
“We will work tirelessly at home and with our allies
in support of our policies to protect the security of life and property,’’ he
added.
Buhari maintained that his administration’s actions
would be governed by the rule of law as well as engagement with well-meaning
leaders and citizens to promote dialogue, partnership and understanding.
“We need a democratic government that can guarantee
peace and security to realise the full potential of our ingenious,
entrepreneurial and hard-working people.
“Our policies are designed to promote genuine,
balanced growth that delivers jobs and rewards industry.
“Our new Economic Advisory Council brings together
respected and independent thinkers to advise me on a strategy that champions
inclusive and balanced growth and above all fight poverty and safeguard
national economic interests.
“As we have sat down to celebrate with friends and
family over this holiday season, for the first time in a generation our food
plates have not all been filled with imports of products we know can easily be
produced here at home,’’ he said.
He also noted that the nation’s revolution in
agriculture had become a reality in all corners of the country.
The president expressed the hope that the new
agreements with Morocco, Russia and others would help access on attractive
terms the inputs the country needed to accelerate the transformation in
farming.
“A good example of commitment to this inclusive
growth is the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the
creation of the National Action Committee to oversee its implementation and
ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to allow us to fully capitalise on
regional and continental markets.
“The joint land border security exercise currently
taking place is meant to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and security. No one can
doubt that we have been good neighbours and good citizens.
“We have been the helpers and shock-absorbers of the
sub-region but we cannot allow our well-planned economic regeneration to be
sabotaged.
“As soon as we are satisfied that the safeguards are
adequate, normal cross-border movements will be resumed,’’ he added. (NAN)
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