In his final New Year’s message, President Muhammadu Buhari reflected on his time in office and offered his felicitations to the nation.
“I welcome and accept both the accolades and criticisms in equal measure, secure in the conviction that I did my best to serve our dear country Nigeria,” Buhari said.
He also stated that he prayed that the next President will continue the race to make Nigeria one of the leading countries of the world by the end of the century.
Buhari emphasized the importance of the democratic process and the collective electoral will of the Nigerian people, stating, “these electoral and democratic principles are working in concert because of the transcendent beliefs, beyond partisan politics, of you the great citizen of Nigeria.”
He also stressed the responsibility of the current administration to provide a non-partisan and objective roadmap for the incoming government in 2023.
The President highlighted the significance of free and fair elections, saying, “we as Nigerians must also take responsibility to ensure we participate in ensuring that the 2023 elections are free and fair by not engaging in anti-state activities and other nefarious acts that may affect the run of the polls.”
He also noted that the administration’s landmark Amended Electoral Act will help to ensure that elections are held freely and fairly across the country.
Buhari praised Nigeria’s resilience as a nation, stating, “we as Nigeria…have been enabled year after year, decade after decade, to weather all stormy waters and emerge stronger and better where others have fallen and disintegrated. This has made us a unique nation across the globe and our continent.”
He expressed his confidence that the country will continue to move forward towards unity, progress, and prosperity in the coming year.
He offered his best wishes to the next President, saying, “I pray that the next President will also pick up the baton and continue the race to make Nigeria one of the leading countries of the world by the end of this century.”
