Buhari’s Second Inaugural Speech
Good
morning, ordinary Nigerians, friends from other nations, diplomatic corps, gentlemen
of the press, lest I forget, I begin my
speech with ordinary Nigerians who defied the rain and sun to stand with us
despite that we did little or nothing to them directly in our first tenure.
morning, ordinary Nigerians, friends from other nations, diplomatic corps, gentlemen
of the press, lest I forget, I begin my
speech with ordinary Nigerians who defied the rain and sun to stand with us
despite that we did little or nothing to them directly in our first tenure.
I
salute the courage of Nigerian masses who stood solidly behind us and said, “No
more room for our tormentors in the polity” on February 23, 2019.
salute the courage of Nigerian masses who stood solidly behind us and said, “No
more room for our tormentors in the polity” on February 23, 2019.
The
February 23 was a fight between the forces of good and evil. But because God
Almighty is Just, Nigerian masses triumphed over their slave masters who are
adorned in the garb of statesmen.
February 23 was a fight between the forces of good and evil. But because God
Almighty is Just, Nigerian masses triumphed over their slave masters who are
adorned in the garb of statesmen.
Those
who keenly watched the unfolding events in the course of our bid to free our
country from the hands of those who do not want a better Nigeria for all, but want
it for themselves and few foreign friends, understand that my second coming was
beyond human manipulation; that is, my coming to clean the mess left by those
who put the vehicle of our dear country in a reverse gear is divine.
who keenly watched the unfolding events in the course of our bid to free our
country from the hands of those who do not want a better Nigeria for all, but want
it for themselves and few foreign friends, understand that my second coming was
beyond human manipulation; that is, my coming to clean the mess left by those
who put the vehicle of our dear country in a reverse gear is divine.
You must understand that I am one of the most talked
about political leaders alive in this country.
Months into my first tenure, the country began to experience what is now
referred to as hate speech or fake news.
Although I am not bothered because if I were not your president, elected
by you, I would not have a cause to suffer such hate speeches.
about political leaders alive in this country.
Months into my first tenure, the country began to experience what is now
referred to as hate speech or fake news.
Although I am not bothered because if I were not your president, elected
by you, I would not have a cause to suffer such hate speeches.
Many people wished me dead, some of the ill-wishers
are long dead while, by the grace of God, I am still alive today. Many of our detractors said I had been cloned
in London hospital where I went for medical treatment. May I at this juncture
say as I had said before, that I am Muhammadu Buhari from Daura, Nigeria, but
not Jubril of Sudan.
are long dead while, by the grace of God, I am still alive today. Many of our detractors said I had been cloned
in London hospital where I went for medical treatment. May I at this juncture
say as I had said before, that I am Muhammadu Buhari from Daura, Nigeria, but
not Jubril of Sudan.
Many
have accused my government of being led by a cabal. Those who are conversant with
democracy know that all governments, world over, have an inner cycle, whose pieces
of advice are useful, but not binding on the presidents. That means not all decisions are masterminded
by the clique.
have accused my government of being led by a cabal. Those who are conversant with
democracy know that all governments, world over, have an inner cycle, whose pieces
of advice are useful, but not binding on the presidents. That means not all decisions are masterminded
by the clique.
One
of my most important critics is Dr Olusegun Obasanjo. He wrote many letters to
Nigerians instead of to me. I said so because he has unfettered access to the
villa day and night, and also a senior colleague, yet with all respect, he chose
to write plays for Nigerians to read.
of my most important critics is Dr Olusegun Obasanjo. He wrote many letters to
Nigerians instead of to me. I said so because he has unfettered access to the
villa day and night, and also a senior colleague, yet with all respect, he chose
to write plays for Nigerians to read.
Some
forces who believe that my corruption fight is doing harm to their business
interests teamed up with their foreign friends to fight our party and my re-election
bid but the Nigerian masses know when to say enough is enough to their
tormentors.
forces who believe that my corruption fight is doing harm to their business
interests teamed up with their foreign friends to fight our party and my re-election
bid but the Nigerian masses know when to say enough is enough to their
tormentors.
The
campaign against my government began with the politically-motivated killings
cleverly wrapped in the Fulani herdsmen and local crop farmers. But when the saboteurs found that my main
challenger is also Fulani, the option left was their plan B, which was mass
defection from our great party, APC, by our former friends, to the opposition
PDP.
campaign against my government began with the politically-motivated killings
cleverly wrapped in the Fulani herdsmen and local crop farmers. But when the saboteurs found that my main
challenger is also Fulani, the option left was their plan B, which was mass
defection from our great party, APC, by our former friends, to the opposition
PDP.
I may not be the most honest of Nigerian heads of
state alive, but I am the most determined to fight corruption. I and my friend,
General Tunde Idiagbon fought corruption and instilled discipline in Nigerians during
the short time I served as military head of state. I am fighting corruption now
and I will continue to fight corruption in the Next Level. I pray the president after me will continue
from where we stop until the country is cleansed.
state alive, but I am the most determined to fight corruption. I and my friend,
General Tunde Idiagbon fought corruption and instilled discipline in Nigerians during
the short time I served as military head of state. I am fighting corruption now
and I will continue to fight corruption in the Next Level. I pray the president after me will continue
from where we stop until the country is cleansed.
We
shall not renew the licences of powerful Nigerians who had acquired oil blocs
from which money from our commonwealth is being siphoned to private pulses. We shall
embark on income redistribution to all citizens so that even Nigerians in the Diaspora
will return home voluntarily.
shall not renew the licences of powerful Nigerians who had acquired oil blocs
from which money from our commonwealth is being siphoned to private pulses. We shall
embark on income redistribution to all citizens so that even Nigerians in the Diaspora
will return home voluntarily.
Appointment
in the Next Level is going to be based on merit, but with a bias for all those
who stood by us, and who had spent from their wealth for God and country. One example
is the former national financial secretary, Pastor Ezekiel Longe, who stood by
us during our time trying period in my former party, the Congress for
Progressive change, CPC, and who has been left to languish in our neglect and thus
wasting his contribution to the ideals of a new Nigeria.
in the Next Level is going to be based on merit, but with a bias for all those
who stood by us, and who had spent from their wealth for God and country. One example
is the former national financial secretary, Pastor Ezekiel Longe, who stood by
us during our time trying period in my former party, the Congress for
Progressive change, CPC, and who has been left to languish in our neglect and thus
wasting his contribution to the ideals of a new Nigeria.
The
endorsements by social-political groups across geopolitical regions of our
country when the general election was a mile away was planned to demoralise us
and deceive the electorate, but with God on our side, we remained resolute, and
passed through it.
endorsements by social-political groups across geopolitical regions of our
country when the general election was a mile away was planned to demoralise us
and deceive the electorate, but with God on our side, we remained resolute, and
passed through it.
The
suspension of the presidential and National Assembly elections at a time all candidates
of the various political parties, voters and international observers were ready
was a national embarrassment. But at last, we found that such embarrassment was
better than an election that lacks credibility.
suspension of the presidential and National Assembly elections at a time all candidates
of the various political parties, voters and international observers were ready
was a national embarrassment. But at last, we found that such embarrassment was
better than an election that lacks credibility.
The
order I gave to security officers to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers in
the wake of the postponement of the presidential and parliamentary elections
was misconstrued by our detractors, thus I was
called a despot and dictator who was still behaving like a soldier in a
democratic setting. Even though such directive from a ruling party was good for
the opposition, our detractors were bent on seeing nothing good from us.
order I gave to security officers to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers in
the wake of the postponement of the presidential and parliamentary elections
was misconstrued by our detractors, thus I was
called a despot and dictator who was still behaving like a soldier in a
democratic setting. Even though such directive from a ruling party was good for
the opposition, our detractors were bent on seeing nothing good from us.
Many of our detractors used the suspension of the
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was by then held by the
Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, for false asset declaration, as a propaganda to discredit my government,
but the ordinary Nigerians knew better.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was by then held by the
Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, for false asset declaration, as a propaganda to discredit my government,
but the ordinary Nigerians knew better.
I
earlier promised my opponents that the opportunity I was denied of in 2003, 2007
and 2011 would be given to any of my opponents who emerged victorious in the
presidential election, but the majority of Nigerians believed in me and gave me
another four-year mandate despite a tough fight against my bid by self-appointed
kingmakers of Nigeria, people who, before now, had the power to appoint who to
rule Nigeria as their puppet.
earlier promised my opponents that the opportunity I was denied of in 2003, 2007
and 2011 would be given to any of my opponents who emerged victorious in the
presidential election, but the majority of Nigerians believed in me and gave me
another four-year mandate despite a tough fight against my bid by self-appointed
kingmakers of Nigeria, people who, before now, had the power to appoint who to
rule Nigeria as their puppet.
I
highly commend the resilience of Nigerians who prefer a better tomorrow for
their children than today for themselves. Citizens who are aware of the
deprivation they suffer in the country because of those who had milked this
country dry and still want their children to enslave our children as they did
to us, love us.
highly commend the resilience of Nigerians who prefer a better tomorrow for
their children than today for themselves. Citizens who are aware of the
deprivation they suffer in the country because of those who had milked this
country dry and still want their children to enslave our children as they did
to us, love us.
Because
of the belief you have in me and our progressive party, APC, the Next Level
which begins from now is the time Nigerian masses, artisans, market women, youths,
and technocrats will see the better part of us. For this, we shall sign the Nigerian
Peace Corps Bill into law to mop up the mob of jobless youths in the country.
of the belief you have in me and our progressive party, APC, the Next Level
which begins from now is the time Nigerian masses, artisans, market women, youths,
and technocrats will see the better part of us. For this, we shall sign the Nigerian
Peace Corps Bill into law to mop up the mob of jobless youths in the country.
In
the Next Level, every Nigerian will appreciate that a nation provides for and
protects its citizens. We have realised
that to wipe away insurgency, militancy, armed robbery and kidnapping, gainful
employment to all Nigerians is the answer but not the gun and bullet.
the Next Level, every Nigerian will appreciate that a nation provides for and
protects its citizens. We have realised
that to wipe away insurgency, militancy, armed robbery and kidnapping, gainful
employment to all Nigerians is the answer but not the gun and bullet.
You
are aware that in the celebrations that heralded my first and second mandates, which
you gave me to straighten the path of our promising nation, a large number of citizens
who stood by us in all weather died. Our government will take inventory of such
deaths and give compensations to the next-of-kin or spouse of the dead. Also, this
government shall pay compensations to the families of all kidnapped victims who
have valid evidences or police reports to that effect.
are aware that in the celebrations that heralded my first and second mandates, which
you gave me to straighten the path of our promising nation, a large number of citizens
who stood by us in all weather died. Our government will take inventory of such
deaths and give compensations to the next-of-kin or spouse of the dead. Also, this
government shall pay compensations to the families of all kidnapped victims who
have valid evidences or police reports to that effect.
You
all know I am a man of little words but more action. The Next level will be tough for the saboteurs but soft for the
patriots.
all know I am a man of little words but more action. The Next level will be tough for the saboteurs but soft for the
patriots.
Finally,
I thank our party leader, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, national chairman of our
party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Festus Keyamo, SAN and all those who believe that
the foundation of an advanced Nigeria is being laid by us through the building
of and strengthening of institutions instead of making few billionaires out of over 180 million people.
I thank our party leader, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, national chairman of our
party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Festus Keyamo, SAN and all those who believe that
the foundation of an advanced Nigeria is being laid by us through the building
of and strengthening of institutions instead of making few billionaires out of over 180 million people.
Long
live ordinary citizens of Nigeria.
live ordinary citizens of Nigeria.
Long
live Federal Republic of Nigeria,
live Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Thank
you.
you.
This
is a hypothetical speech drafted by Uji Abdullahi Iliyasu, a journalist,
teacher, writer and social commentator.
is a hypothetical speech drafted by Uji Abdullahi Iliyasu, a journalist,
teacher, writer and social commentator.