…President assures Burundi of brotherly support
By Hillary Asemota
In what may likely be a tense moment for President Muhammadu Buhari, as observers would say, the President himself has confirmed that he is anxiously looking forward to the February polls, and retirement, since he had satisfied the constitutionally required two terms to be in office. The result of that election which is not too close to call may spring some surprises.
In what he referred to as a valedictory remark, while speaking recently, he said: This year (2022) is particularly important to me because this message is in essence valedictory.
“After having the honour of serving you, my compatriots, for the last seven plus years, my tenure as your President in the most revered tradition of our ongoing and maturing democracy must necessarily come to an end. In the next five months we would have gone to the polls and elected a new president along with new governors and a host of other elected officials at both the national and state levels.
“These democratic principles are working in concert because of the belief, beyond partisan politics, of you the great citizens of Nigeria. In addition is my personal commitment and executive promise to see to the letter that the 2023 elections being diligently conducted by INEC will be free and fair. The collective electoral will and votes of Nigerians will be fulfilled, even in the twilight moments of my watch.” He said.
While also speaking though in another breath and in the spirit of African solidarity and brotherliness, the President while speaking through his Spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Nigeria will support the Republic of Burundi in diverse ways as necessary, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured.
The President spoke Tuesday at State House, Abuja, while receiving the Special Envoy of President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who came with a message.
Hon. Audace Niyonzima, Minister of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning of Burundi, said his President sent goodwill for the New Year to Nigerians and President Buhari, and also wishes the country well in general elections scheduled for February and March, this year.
“We pray that the polls would be peaceful and successful, so that Nigeria would maintain her reputation as a bastion of peace and stability,” the Special Envoy said.
On request for assistance in the area of energy provision, particularly fuel, by the Burundi leader, President Buhari said he knows what it feels like for a country to suffer from energy shortage, and promised that he would get the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to look into the request.
President Buhari said he was looking forward to the polls, and retirement, since he had satisfied the constitutionally required two terms to be in office.
Signed: Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, (Media and Publicity).
