President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday that Nigerians
should be patient and accept democracy not as a system of
government but as a lifestyle in order to ensure development
of the country.
The president said this when he paid homage to the Emir of
Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, after attending the Juma’at
prayer at the Lowcost Mosque, in Daura, Katsina State.
“If Nigerians continuously follow the tenets of democracy the
country will always be at peace since democracy on its own
with its institutions has the mechanism for resolving conflicts
peacefully,” he said.
The President, who delivered his speech in Hausa, urged
those who were aggrieved after the 2015 elections to seek
redress through democratic means and institutions.
Buhari noted that Nigeria was adopting democracy from the
western nations and learning fast by avoiding mistakes made
when studying the weaknesses and strengths of those
nations.
According to him, if Nigerians decide to be hasty, some
avoidable mistakes can be made.
Buhari urged that elections at all levels must be conducted
based on democratic principles.
He urged those interested in elective positions to look for a
political platform of their choice, declare their interests and
the party would support them.
The President said that in 2002 when he joined politics, many
people did not give him a chance because they knew his
antecedents as a military officer.
He added that the 2015 polls had clearly shown that it is
God that chooses who becomes a leader.
“It is not by power, it is not by wealth but by the Grace of
God that I won the election,’’ the president said.
Buhari said he decided to contest elections because of his
commitment to serve the people and not to be served or to
amass wealth.
He added that he had served the nation in different
capacities in the past and had not had so much money in
the banks either locally or abroad or anywhere in the world.
He said all he had over time “is integrity and commitment to
serve the people” and said that he would fulfill his promises
to the people.
Earlier, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, said he
had known Buhari for his consistency which had become the
hallmark of his integrity.
He said he was happy that Buhari was eventually elected as
the President of the country after some trials.
The Emir observed that the President was not new in
government and wherever he had served he always
distinguished himself with integrity and in all he had returned
home without a Kobo.
The Emir urged Nigerians to be patient with the
administration so that they could allow Buhari to deliver on
his promises.
He also urged Nigerians to support the administration with
prayers in its new responsibility.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that earlier, President
Buhari had attended the Juma’at prayer with his kinsmen at
the Lowcost Mosque in Daura where the Chief Imam, Alhaji
Musa Mansir, prayed for peace and development in the
country.
The cleric also urged Nigerians to pray for their leaders at all
times.
He also spoke on the benefit of Ramadan and urged all to
extend the hands of fellowship to others as well as give
support to the less privileged persons in the society.
Many residents of Daura thronged both the mosque and the
Emir’s palace to have a glimpse of the President.
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