Buhari’s Last Democracy Day Broadcast: I’ll Defeat Terrorism, Deliver Credible Elections in 2023

By Damola Emmanuel

For the umpteenth time, President Muhammadu Buhari, Sunday, assured Nigerians that his administration can, and will defeat terrorism, kidnapping and banditry; and protect them from all enemies from within and outside.

He also renewed his pledge to deliver a free, fair and transparent electoral process in the 2023 general elections, making the vote safe and secure for citizens.

These were some of the nuggets in his Democracy Day national broadcast, his last as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

During the broadcast, Buhari said he was aware of the rise in insecurity due to terrorist activities in parts of the country but assured that: “As a government, we are working hard to contain and address these challenges. And ensure that the 2023 general elections are safe and secure for all Nigerians.”

But to achieve those lofty objectives, Buhari said all Nigerians must get involved as government cannot do it alone.

“I ask all citizens to support and cooperate with our security agencies by reporting any suspicious characters and activities to law enforcement agencies,” the President pleaded. “We can only have a safe country if we are able to prevent crime not after the crime has been committed.”

Contrary to the perception by some Nigerians that he was insensitive to the feelings of citizens who are daily traumatized by the rash of insecurity that roils the land, Buhari said he lives every day in agony over the unrelenting killings in several parts of the country. A situation that has swelled the population of orphans, widows and widowers in the nation.

Canvassing prayers for all victims of terrorist activities in Nigeria, Buhari said: “I am living daily with the grief and worry for all those victims and prisoners of terrorism and kidnapping.”

But he assured that he and all the security agencies are doing their level best to free those in captivity, safely.

And for those who have lost their lives, the President assured that his administration “will continue to seek justice for their families against the perpetrators. For those currently in captivity, we will not stop until they are freed, and their kidnappers are brought to justice. If we all unite, we will be victorious against these agents of terror and destruction.”

To convince his compatriots that the country is safe in his hands, the President told Nigerians about the reforms in the country’s security architecture, revealing that some of the defence assets procured three years ago have arrived and have been deployed.

“Our cyber security and surveillance systems are being upgraded to further enhance our ability to track and trace criminal elements,” Buhari informed. “We are also recruiting and training new personnel across all our security and intelligence agencies to strengthen the country’s over-all security.

Earlier in the address, the President had restated the significance of Nigeria’s Democracy Day which his administration shifted from May 29 to June 12 to appropriately underscore the sacrifice made by the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, and other patriots whose blood watered the seed of the democracy Nigeria and Nigerians now enjoy.

“In 2018,” Buhari recalled, “we moved Democracy Day from 29^th of May to the 12^th of June. This change was to remind all Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner along with Nigerians were denied their rights and their choice.

“On June 12^th 1993, Nigerians saw the best in our citizens as we all went out to vote peacefully. By June 24^th 1993, we also saw the worst of our leadership as the elections were annulled.

“We must never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy during 1993. Their patriotism and peaceful struggle should guide our actions especially when it comes to electing our leaders and holding them accountable, now and in future.”

Restating his commitment to “ensure that the new President is elected through a peaceful and transparent process,” President Buhari said:

“It is important for all of us to remember that June 12^th, 2023 will be exactly 30 years from the 1993 Presidential elections. In honour and memory of one of our national heroes for democracy, Chief M.K.O Abiola, GCFR, we must all work together to ensure this transition is done in a peaceful manner.”

He concluded the broadcast by promising Nigerians “a free, fair and transparent electoral process,” even as he pleaded with “all citizens to come together and work with Government to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.”