Barack Obama, the United States president has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the “historic opportunity” of the 2015 elections to rewrite the next chapter of the country’s progress.
Speaking on Wednesday in a video posted on the White House website, Obama observed that Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria, and implored the people vote in order to secure the country’s progress.
Full text of the message below:
Hello. Today, I want to speak directly to you—the people of Nigeria.
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Nigeria is a great nation and you can be proud of the progress you’ve made. Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions. You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength. You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.
Now you have a historic opportunity to help write the next chapter of Nigeria’s progress—by voting in the upcoming elections. For elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful. All Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear.
So I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections—and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted. I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence. And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins.
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Successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today. Boko Haram—a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children—must be stopped. Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families. Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes. Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build. By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress.
I’m told that there is a saying in your country: “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.” Today, I urge all Nigerians—from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions—to come together and keep Nigeria one. And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America.
4 comments
Thank you Mr. President. your words are needed at this time of our nations life. Our leaders should be wise to heed your warning. Thanks.
Nigeria unity has always been stress by both old and young.this shows that Nigeria is not meant to be one.I pray the united Nation can avoid centiment and support the division of this polygamy family call nigeria.this will bring world peace.growth and prosperity.the present tempo of election between north.south.christain and muslem.tells that nigeria is already a failed stated.while allowing millions of killing just to keep what is evil one.
How many countries do you want to divide Nigeria into? Go and ask the people of South Sudan who just got their independence from the old country. They are already split along ethnic lines. By the time you are done with Nigeria you would have 170 million Presidents. That is when all our greedy people will probably be satisfied. When a Delta man says it is that Hausa man spoiling this country, I ask if a Hausa man is your governor.
One 9ja