Nigeria at 62: Tinubu, Atiku, Peter Obi harp on security
Story from Ibraheem Hamza MUHAMMAD, Bernice EKE
As Nigeria celebrates its 62 years of independence, some 2023 presidential candidates have spoken on the insecurity bedevilling the nation and how it can be overcome through unity.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his goodwill message to Nigerians, said they should commit to unity and collective improvement.
READ ALSO: Nigeria at 62: We are still making progress – PMB
His statement reads: “On this Independence Day, let us commit ourselves to Nigeria’s unity as well as to our collective improvement. In unity, we must see each other as brothers and sisters regardless of our ethnic, religious or regional diversity. In seeking national improvement, we must join hands in growing the economy, creating jobs, feeding the hungry, educating our youth, caring for the sick and protecting our people and their way of life from evil and misguided foes who seek to destroy all that is good.
“Today, let us thank President Muhammadu Buhari, his entire cabinet for their patriotic efforts in the service of the nation. We give utmost thanks to the committed service of the brave members of our armed forces, and security and law enforcement agencies some of whom have given their very lives in defence of our freedom against terrorism and violent extremism. We thank all who have dedicated their lives to public service and to the belief that this nation can be made great. We thank each and every law-abiding citizen of our great nation who dedicate their lives in the hope that Nigeria will be better and more united.
“Today, I speak not of politics but patriotism. The time for politics will come soon enough. But the time for and demand for patriotism never fade.
“May we all seek the best for Nigeria regardless of partisan affiliation and may we never undermine the national purpose in pursuit of narrow gain.
“As the nation heads toward the coming election, may we all eschew violence and recourse to divisive, incendiary politics that pull against the fabric of national unity and concord,” Tinubu stated.
Likewise, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of the country’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary, assuring that the nation will rise again.
Atiku said the celebration of Nigeria’s Independence Day is an event that should reawaken citizens’ consciousness towards the consolidation of unity amongst the diverse people of the country.
The PDP presidential candidate said that Nigeria had come a long way after independence 62 years ago, passing through different phases of challenges.
“The democracy that we have is the requisite antidote to the current challenges that we face.
“Though Nigeria is beset with challenges that range from inadequacies of our economic plans to cover a large percentage of our people who live below the poverty line to security skirmishes that daily threaten the safety of lives and property of Nigerians, the root cause of these problems is traceable to the increasing lack of unity amongst us.
“However, I assure you that as one people and under the canopy of one country sharing in one future, we will surmount our challenges and enthrone the Nigeria of our dreams,” Atiku said.
Meanwhile, Labour Party’s (LP) presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi in his Independence Day speech shared on Twitter on Saturday morning, commemorating Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary, said many Nigerians are in captivity in bandits’ dens, while lamenting the increased number of internally displaced citizens as a result of prolonged insecurity.
“Many Nigerians are resigned, frustrated and tired of the many years of leadership failure. Many of our compatriots remain in captivity held by bandits; millions are living in IDP camps as their homes are now part of ungoverned spaces. Many Nigerian children go to bed hungry,” said Mr Obi.
“Such people can hardly fathom the concept of independence and freedom; let alone a valid basis for celebration,” he said.
