In spite of rising level of criticisms concerning his refusal to constitute his cabinet early enough, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, in Washington DC, affirmed that his government cannot afford to fail to deliver on its promises, while promising to lead by example.
“As a government, we have no illusions whatsoever about the enormity of the challenges ahead of us. We know it will be a long bruising struggle. But this is a fight we have to win. Failure is not an option for us. We will not contemplate it,” he said while addressing a session at the United States Institute of Peace, USIP.
The President, at the session, said his government was dedicated to ridding the country of corruption, strengthening the economy and democratic practices and reducing the menace of Boko Haram insurgency to the minimum.
He reaffirmed that the fight against corruption was a full time job for his administration, such that the “the Federal Government will carry with sustained result.”
Buhari said his government would work closely with the national assembly to strengthen current electoral laws with the aim of deepening democratic culture in the country.
He said, “I will work with the National Assembly to strengthen our electoral laws in ways that will proffer stiffer penalties against all forms of electoral malpractices,” adding that that the enforcement of the laws will be given greater impetus.
Concerning Boko Haram, Buhari affirmed that it was time for Nigerians to stop living in fear. He stated that that the losses the country and Nigerians had accumulated in terms of human, financial and material resources were too overwhelming. He said his government would prioritise the provision of solutions to the underlying causes of terrorism in the country.
“The government that I lead is committed and would do whatever it takes to free Nigerians from the menace of terrorism . No matter how long it takes, we will reclaim every part of Nigerian territory that is under the control of Boko Haram,” he said.
President Buhari said the fight the against the insurgents would be sustained with the deployment of the military’s maximum capacity, while at the same time respecting rule of law and domestic and international obligations.
He stated that his government would continue to collaborate and consult with Nigeria’s neighbours in order to strengthen regional efforts against terrorism. To this end, he said he would be in Cameroon on July 29, to consult with President Paul Biya.
While seeking assistance of the international community, the president explained that task of repositioning Nigeria for the better rested on the shoulders of the Nigerian government and the people.
“Fixing Nigeria’s problems, as formidable as they are, is the responsibility of Nigerians. The international community can only assist. The hard work belongs to Nigerians and their government…I will lead from the front,” he remarked.
Source:The Guardian
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