President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to go out on Saturday to vote without any fear of threat or intimidation.
Giving the assurance that an atmosphere of openness and peace would be created, he stated that by voting, Nigerians would be defining the future of the nation.
The president gave the assurance in a national broadcast on Friday.
“I urge you to go out and vote,” he said.
“I say this because elections are the cornerstone of representative governance. And voting constitutes the highest and best expression of the sovereign will of the people to choose the government that best represents them.
“It is only upon the freely expressed will of the people that government truly dedicated to the welfare, rights and interests of the people can be founded,” he explained.
The president advised that Nigerians should not allow themselves to be discouraged by anyone.
He said to vote was a show of belief in Nigeria and the excellent things the future held for it and its people.
“No matter our political leanings, we all believe in Nigeria, in the noble principles for which it stands and in the values we strive for our beloved nation to uphold,” he said.
The president thanked Nigerians for the patience exercised despite the postponement of the election last week.
He said they should continue to repose confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The president also thanked international and domestic monitors and observers.
He assured them of their safety and freedom of movement needed to perform their important functions.
“As we thank domestic monitors and observers for their contributions to our democracy, we also thank the international groups for the friendship and concern they have demonstrated to our nation.
“We appreciate their efforts in encouraging us to further entrench and strengthen our democracy,” he said.
