President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration’s promise to successfully counter the Boko Haram threat in the North-East region of Nigeria has been fulfilled.
He noted that when he took office, terrorism was the most significant security challenge faced by his regime but is pleased to report that normalcy has been restored to affected states.
Buhari emphasized that he had fulfilled the commitment he made to the Nigerian people in his May 29, 2015 inaugural address to decisively tackle the Boko Haram terrorist group and stabilize the country.
The President also made a statement regarding allegations of inexplicable wealth and illicit enrichment while in office, saying that he does not have any assets outside of Nigeria and cannot be blackmailed. He also urged Nigerians to remain patriotic, reminding them that “we have no other country than Nigeria, we must all stay here and salvage it together.”
This is contained in an official statement from the President’s special advisor on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Tuesday.
“Reflecting on his journey to the presidency and re-election, the President said:
“‘Between 2003 and 2019, I visited all the local government areas in this country. In 2019 when I attempted a re-election, I visited every state and the number of people that came out to see who this Buhari is and was is more than what anybody can pay or force.
“‘So, I thank God that Nigerians understood me and I made a promise that I will serve God and Nigerians.’
“President Buhari commended Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State for taking advantage of the return of peace and security in the state to execute people-oriented projects.
“Describing the governor as very competent and courageous, the President said he was lucky to have him in the saddle as the political leader in the state, supporting the federal efforts to decimate Boko Haram terrorist group.
“The President also acknowledged the cooperation of Nigeria’s neighbours in the fight against insurgency, recalling that his first visit outside the country in 2015 was to Niger and Chad, to garner support on tackling the misguided sect.
“President Buhari thanked the Governor and people of Yobe State, including Senate President Ahmed Lawan, for their warm reception during the State visit.
“In his remarks, Governor Buni expressed delight at the President’s inauguration of landmark projects in the state, including the Yobe International Cargo Airport, Damaturu ultra-modern market, Maternal and Child Health Complex at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, the 2,600 Housing Estate in Potiskum and the Damaturu Mega School at new Bra-Bra.
“He appealed to the President to approve the takeover of the Yobe State International Cargo airport by the Federal Government and the refund of N38 billion expended by the State government on the project.
“Equally, he requested the takeover of the State University Teaching Hospital, including the Maternity and Child Health Complex.
“The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, thanked the President for inaugurating a purpose-built, ultra-modern, and fully furnished State Command Headquarters; Police Secondary School; and Tertiary Police Hospital during the State Visit.
“The IGP assured the President and Nigerians that the Nigeria Police are fully prepared for the upcoming 2023 general election and would remain apolitical in compliance with the presidential directive.
“He disclosed that newly passed out Constables are being posted on field operations to their Local Government Areas in line with Mr. President’s directives and ahead of their deployment for the general election.
“‘In furtherance to this, we have exposed our personnel to specialized election security management trainings, developed Code of Conduct Handbook to guide the Police and other national security agencies that will be involved in the exercise,’ he said.
“He added that the Force has also perfected the logistics and manpower mobilization framework, and fine-tuned the Election Security Operational Action Plan in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Military, Intelligence Community, and other Sister Security Agencies.
“The IGP thanked the President for the annual recruitment of ten thousand police Constables over a five-year period, adding that the Presidential consideration has significantly bridged the manpower gap in the Force and broadly strengthened their capacity to effectively police the electoral process.”
