Text of Address by His Excellency General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR Presidential Candidate of All Progressive Congress, APC at an Interactive Session with the Nigerian Press Organisation, NPO in Abuja. Tuesday 17th March 2015
Thank you for honoring me with your presence here today. Thank you for heeding my invitation to this special meeting with key stakeholders in the Nigerian media. Our country is on the verge of something new. The tide has turned and the world can sense the wave of CHANGE that is about to flood this nation. In less than two weeks, the Nigerian electorate will head to the polls to make their voices heard.
Through the ballot, without a single shot fired, a CHANGE revolution will likely take place. There are two specific reasons why I have invited you here today. The first is to use the opportunity to say a special thank you to the Nigerian media for the role you have played in advancing our country’s democracy thus far, and especially for being a platform through which Nigerians’ cry for CHANGE was articulated all around the world.
On newspaper pages, TV screens and radio waves, the alarming depth of corruption and impunity in our country, the terrifying level of insecurity, and the grim state of our economy were kept constantly before the world’s eyes, making it impossible for the current government to doctor the truth, despite their meanest efforts.
I urge you to not relent in your role as watchdogs, to continue to be the voice of the people. The health of Nigeria’s democracy rests partly on you. Without a robust and thriving media, the masses would have no voice.
The electorate would also not have sufficient information to make sound decisions, such as deciding to vote out a clueless government and vote in CHANGE. Secondly, I want to give you my full assurances that in this democratic dispensation, I will ensure that the Nigerian constitution is upheld. This includes respect for the media, respect for the right to free expression and freedom of speech. Page 1 of 2 any of you are aware of Decree 4 of 1984, which was heavily criticised.
I have said elsewhere that I cannot change the past. But I can change the present and the future. Dictatorship goes with military rule as do edicts such as Decree 4. However, I am a former–former, note the emphasis on the word ‘former’–military ruler and now a converted democrat, who is ready to operate under democratic norms.
I am not only subjecting myself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time, but even after being elected, I will continue to promote the consolidation of democracy in our great country, Nigeria, by guaranteeing that the media’s freedom is not compromised in any way.
I give you my full assurances that the Nigerian media will be free under our APC government. I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to you to use your media outlets in shaping positive public discourse and eschew hate speech mongering and slanderous political rhetorics which heat up the polity for the sake of peace and stability of our dear nation. Thank you, once again, for being here this afternoon.
I look forward to working with you in future, and to similar meetings which shall take place on a regular basis to keep the Nigerian people constantly informed about the activities of the government that they will have elected to serve them.
General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR
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Sai Buhari
ReplyDeleteAN illiterate continues to floor Mrs. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Chai Chai Mrs. Jona, I bu Mama, you are finished. See what a brain dead man as postulated by your husband, Mr. Patience Jonathan AKA Inpatient Sheppopotamus is doing to you. Madam Jona, did you read that? Ifele mee gi. You threw our love, support, trust, hope into the dust bin. You are simply wicked. General, you are spot on. You have my vote having convinced me in all ramification. Weldon the people's general
ReplyDeleteThis speech is brief but highly presidential. Not the type of speech that is so banal and repetitive that you are easily sent to sleep. I can't remember the last time I listened to any presidential talk. Hopefully, the good days are here again.
ReplyDeleteNa lie! You're a lie! Because you want our votes! You're an unrepentant bigot and parochial ethnicist. An old woman doesn't get old in a dance step she knows pretty well! You don't learn how to use the other of your hand at old age! Go! We don't need you! Were you the only military leader! Obasanjo was, but he was never as mean and wicked as you were! You're dark hearted! Beastly! You remind us of Hitler! There is absolutely nothing good about you! Your sanctimonious stand is absolutely hypocritical! What you're fit for is not to be a presidential candidate but an ICC candidate! You have a wicked soul!
ReplyDeleteif he is liar, I wonder what GEJ and his corhort are???? open your eyes before it is too late. may God do to you what Jona has done to Nigerian in jesus mighty name Amen #bringbackourgirls
DeleteOga Anonymous!
DeleteGo and sit down. We the good people (especially the youth) of Nigeria wont fold our hands and watch GEJ destroy our future
My dear Temim, you call yourself a Youth yet you support a 73yr old grandfather to be your president? Something must be wrong somewhere. Buhari should be on the back bench offering advice to the youthful leaders not struggling to be in front. Let me ask, if he becomes president (GOD FORBID!!!) Who then will he be consulting when faced with difficult Challenges? Oga Buhari, you are a square peg forcing yourself into a round hole. Please let those whom he listens to advice him to go and occupy his rightful position - ELDER STATESMAN.
DeleteIchie or what do call yourself, if what people like you are benefiting from this government as affected your sense of reasoning. Atleast think for your children future you fool.
DeleteBEWARE!!!! This man just wants your votes and he will show you his real color. Do you think he will let you insult and critise like you are doing to GJ? Do not be a fool!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm....You are old but age is the sign of good living. You have my vote. Hopefully you will do something great for this country.
ReplyDeleteStory for the gods
ReplyDeleteDat's my president. Sai Baba
ReplyDeleteONCE A CHAMELEON IS ALWAYS A CHAMELEON. . . PERIOD!
ReplyDeleteI wonder who is a chamelon here!!! Buhari or GEJ who never did something untill six weeks to his election because he wants your votes...may God do to you what Jonadaft have done to nigerians #bringbackourgirls
DeleteWe look forward to celebrating your next defit come 28/03/2015.
ReplyDeleteYou talk of change. I hear talk all time and could not hear any positive change that you went to make out what the present government have not done. All you talk is corruption. So you you are not corrupt. Ah thank God sent indeed.
May God do to you what GEJ has done to nigerians #bringbackourgirls
DeleteHello what did GEJ do to Nigerians #bringbackourgirls. Have you ever asked yourself what did the governor of Borno State do to at least prevent the kidnapping of those girls. If Governor Fashiola had waited before acting against Ebola do you know what will happen. Ebola and BH poses the same threat. The governor of Borno State has a primary role to perform in the #bringbackourgirls. You should attack the Borno State Governor first before attacking Jonathan. By so doing you are fair in your judgement. Anonymous 9.20AM you have no case. In addition to what Anonymous 8.19 posted, GEJ have equally fought corruption. He discovered a lot of ghost workers. It could be that Anonymous 9.20AM might be one of the ghost workers. There are also corruption fight in Agriculture, etc. So Buhari should go and rest GEJ is also fighting corruption
Delete@11:01 one prayer for u pls say amen to it if u really find it deem fit may almighty GOD in heaven fight the battle of ur life the way GEJ is fighting corruption amen.fool
DeleteA blind man can never be made to see the light ahead him.
ReplyDeleteGod can actually do wonder, he converted the terrible Paul so it is not impossible that he can convert you. Good if you have repented. Have you done restitution yet to prove the sincerity of your repentance. You need to restitute on all you have killed especially in all the riots fueled by you in Kano and other northern states. After doing that the we will know that you are really born again. Secondly who preached to you? How did God visit you? I am sure my Pastor Osinbajo is afraid to preach to you. I also know that you will pretend to love this pastor and throw him away like a piece of rag. I pity the poor pastor for not standing by the word of God the he himself preached. Do not mingle with an unbeliever. I AM SORRY FOR MY FELLOW REDEEM PASTOR BECAUSE I AM ALSO A REDEEMER. The restitution also covers the political lies spoken by you against GEJ. The Almighty God needs a complete clean mind and only those with clean mind can talk about being born again. They do not become born again with mouth but action. We also need to see the fruits of this born again. If you do no restitution then you are a liar. My people shine your eyes a lot of people that say they are born again are born against
ReplyDeleteYou have said nothing, l doubt if you have anything upstairs
Delete@10:49 u said u are a pastor may ur ministry flourish the way nigeria situation in general is flourishing under GEJ amen.fake pastor
DeleteI strongly believe Nigeria Eye is bias . I don't understand why your so call moderation slow vulgar comments and hate comment or hate speech" pls stop approving anonymous comments . For all you care only one person is writing most of the comment and making all the votes in favour of APC.
ReplyDeleteLet us know clean opinions, stop anonymity and do not approve cursing and hate comments.
Thanks in advance
Here comes Nigeria's next PRESIDENT. You will surely defeat your enemies and move higher. I'm from South-east, but I always speak the truth. The man we hoped on, has destroyed himself and the country. We need a serious minded person that will salvage the situation. Sa!Buhari. O.J
ReplyDeleteMy president, am not going to judge you about the past, all l can see in you is quality of a president even any intelligent PDP people can not deny that your charisma and display of eloquency. I will you my vote and if you fail to alleviate the plight of we masses l leave to God.
ReplyDelete