Northern Elders Demand Better Deal For Nigerians, Applaud Buhari’s Pan-Nigerian Victory
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Northern Elders Forum, Kungiyar Dattawan Arewa Initiative (KDAI), has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, on his ‘resounding victory’ in the February 23 presidential election.
The Elders are also happy with the spread of votes for Mr President, but insisted that there must be a better deal for Nigerians going forward.
Describing the President’s victory as a confidence vote in his ability to deliver on promises made to Nigerians, the Forum said the elections mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey since its inception in 1999.
Accordingly, the Elders said; “Its outcome in terms of majority votes and national spread is the first of its kind in the political history of Nigeria”, adding that; “The national spread across the regions, parties, religion and tribe is far in excess of the mandatory constitutional requirement of the two-third of the votes cast in all states and the FCT.”
The KDAI’s statement jointly issued in Abuja by its Convener, General Paul Tarfa (rtd) and Deputy Convener, Mr Sani Daura, also noted that the election has been considered by many as being largely ‘free, fair and peaceful’,
The Forum stated thus; “This is a clear vote confidence in Mr President and his ability to deliver on promises made to the electorate, be it the economy, unflinching fight against graft and security, among others.”
Also, the Forum applauded the African Union (AU) and the international community’s recognition of the President’s “tireless efforts towards making Nigeria politically stable, socially harmonious, and economically developed nation, thereby earning the nation the much-needed respect in the comity of nations.”
The elders maintained that these visible strides and achievements in various sectors of the nation’s life convinced majority of Nigerian voters, mostly the masses, to come out enmasse and endorse Mr President’s second term bid at the polls.
They said it was most heartwarming that this well-deserved victory came despite “circles of endorsements, elites’ gang-up, spread of fake news, and social media propaganda”.
However, KDAI said it is expectantly looking forward to a President Buhari that would devote his second term to steer the Nigerian ship to the ‘Next Level’ where poverty and lack of critical infrastructure for development would be condemned to the dust-bin of history.
The Elders, who also applauded the opposition parties for a well-fought contest, said the time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to shun petty bickering and in good faith display the spirit of love and politics without bitterness.
In appealing to all aggrieved parties to sheathe their swords in the overall interest of Nigeria, KDAI also counselled that every hands must be on deck to assist Mr President, who has been magnanimous in victory, package an inclusive government where all talents would be tapped, to address recently evolving challenges of education, insecurity and drug addiction among the youth population.
The Elder, in appreciating Nigerian electorate for electing President Buhari, however urged him to remain focused and committed in uplifting the nation to the promised ‘Next Level’ of impactful achievements and prosperity for the teeming Nigerian masses.
