All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday December 31 urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and optimistic in the New Year.
Vanguard reports that Buhari said this in his New Year Message released to newsmen in Abuja by the Director of Communications, Buhari Campaign Organisation. Mr Dele Alakethe
According to him, he shared the distress of the middle class, the unemployed and the poor who have borne the pressure of the policies of governments for so long with increasing burden.
“Electricity shall cost more. The devaluation of the naira means the price of goods and services shall rise. Essential goods are being removed from the reach of the poor.
“The President himself has declared that Year 2015 shall be `tough’ on our people.
“Against this season of despair foisted on our people, I bring to you, a New Year message of hope and optimism.
“I share the anxiety of the middle class and the poor….. I share the fear of the unemployed whose hopes for new jobs in the New Year is being dashed because companies will cut jobs to escape inflationary spirals.
“I share the concerns of the manufacturers whose import-dominated production will be challenged by the austerity measures,’’ the statement read.
He stated that it was a matter of historic record and personal conviction that he was seeking re-election.
“I have offered to serve our country thrice in this civilian dispensation. I have done so in the faith that my life has no meaning if my country cannot get it right.
“I have done so in the conviction that God has spared my life because it can still be given to make this country realise her manifest destiny as a black Super Power.
“I have done so in the hope that our people shall see through the scaremongering of those who are scared by the values that I represent.
“The values of transparency, anti-corruption and development of our human and material resources,’’ the statement further read.
Buhari said a vote for the APC meant “cheaper electricity, food security, accelerated power supply, integrated transport network, free education, affordable health care service and effective security of life and property’’.
However Gen. Buhari had earlier sent a New Year’s message directed at the Nigerian youths who are major stakeholders of this enterprise.
