Ime Akpan
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday made a complete u-turn from the frightening alarm he raised earlier that his second term will be tough.
It would be recalled that basking in the euphoria of winning a re-election in the February 23 presidential election and receiving a certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Buhari had told bewildered Nigerians to tighten their belt for the next four years would be anything but easy.
“My last lap of four years, I think is going to be tough. People are very forgetful and that’s why during the campaign, I spoke about our cardinal agenda,” the president had told members of the federal executive council (FEC) who paid him a congratulatory in Abuja on March 1.
But yesterday, he reversed himself when he told leaders of the organised labour who paid him congratulatory visit at the State House, Abuja that his next four years would rather be peaceful and prosperous and corruption-free.
He said he looked forward to receiving proposals from the labour leaders on how they could jointly build synergy that would assist in achieving the common goals of the federal government.
“By the grace of God, majority of Nigerians have given me another four years of continuity. We will remain focused on our promises, which remain security, economy and fighting corruption.
“I want to assure you that the next four years will be peaceful, prosperous and corruption free. I, therefore, look forward to receiving your proposals so that together, we can achieve these goals.”
Buhari also thanked the labour leaders for their support and cooperation towards the conduct of the presidential election, saying their cooperation helped many to exercise their civic rights.
He also thanked them for the roles they played in voter education and prayed for the conduct of violence-free governorship poll tomorrow.
The president, who said he understood the plights of the labour leaders and pointed out how they were under pressure to meet the expectations of their followers, said he looked forward to further engagements with them in the nearest future.
“We cannot succeed without your cooperation. I appreciate the pressure you are under from your respective constituencies, most especially if you have to submit yourself for elections.
“You have to prove to your members that you are with them rather than with the government and we understand.
“Let me start by thanking you for the support and patriotism that you have shown during the presidential elections.
“You and many Nigerians stepped in to help many Nigerians exercise their rights to vote. You intervened as patriots not for political, religious and tribal reasons. You stood in during a very difficult period for all of us.
“On behalf of all Nigerians who benefited from your kind support, I want to say thank you. As a result of what you did, many citizens were able to travel and vote.
“I am also aware that many of your members were very active in voters’ education and promotion of peaceful elections in your various communities. Thankfully, the presidential elections were conducted peacefully in most parts of the country.
“As we go to the polls this weekend, my prayer is that we also conduct elections in a non-violent manner,” he said
With ThisDay report
