Abuja, March 25, 2004

MY DEAR FELLOW NIGERIANS

Let me begin this broadcast by thanking Almighty God and all Nigerians for the relative peace and stability that our great country is enjoying today. We only need to cast our minds back to what and where Nigeria was before 1999 and realise that we have achieved so much. It is on record that prior to 1999, Nigeria was virtually on the precipice of civil war and collapse. The economy was in shambles as capital flight, de-industrialisation, inflation, chronic unemployment, heavy emigration of skilled and unskilled Nigerians, and other economic distortions characterised our economy.

Politically, violence had taken over the larger society, rights were wantonly abused, liberties were compromised, democratic spaces were either suffocated or closed, and communities and constituencies were intimidated and Silenced.

Internationally, we had become a pariah nation as investors stayed away or held back on new investments, the country was suspended from several organizations, and Nigerians were subjected to some of the most humiliating treatment ever at the major airports and cities of the world. For most Nigerians, life had not just become painful and uncertain, but it had also become grossly corrupted and contaminated. The prospects for political liberalization and democratic reawakening looked bleak as militia groups, ethnic warlords, alienated communities, and opportunistic political actors took strategic positions and were determined to tear the nation apart.

Nigerians must not so easily forget the pains, deprivations, intimidation, insecurity, and near hopelessness that characterised their lives and environment only a few years ago.

The scenario just described was possible because we had no credible foundation anchored on the people at the grassroots to check political excesses, insist on accountability and good governance, and propel leaders to do what is right and just at all times. Those who forget history often fail to know what to do with the present much less how to organize and plan for the future to avoid a decadent past. We must individually and collectively commit to ensuring that our painful past, will and must never happen again. However, this must not be taken for granted. When I left public office in 1979, if anyone had told me that what happened in Nigeria subsequently was a far distant possibility, I would not have believed it. But it did happen. We must all determine that it will never never happen again.

While we still have some way to go, I am pleased note, and we should all be grateful to God that we have radically moved a great distance from the scenario I have just described.

Today, we are building new structures and institutions for rehabilitation, reconstruction, regeneration, and repositioning our country for stability, peace, growth, development and democracy. We are encouraging new discourses and the emergence of new leaders as we work in mutually beneficial cooperation with relevant stakeholders on all issues affecting us as a people. We have addressed those burning issues that tended to encourage or legitimate extra-legal approaches to engaging the state, its custodians and public policies.

Today, religious and ethnic conflicts that were once becoming the hallmarks of our national identity have receded to the far background of national political discourse. It is a thing of joy to note that irrespective of religion, region, class, gender or ethnic identity, Nigerians have massively opted for dialogue, cooperation, consultation, and reliance on due process and legal options in resolving disagreements.

I am pleased to note that investors are coming into the country more than ever before to take advantage of our on-going reform agenda and the emerging democratic enabling environment that is robustly supportive of private sector initiatives. I thank all Nigerians for their understanding and support for our past efforts and the on-going reform agenda that has made these achievements possible.

Fellow Nigerians, we must all remember that democracy is about people. It is about community and it is about truth, justice, cooperation, and collective efforts at building and nurturing open societies and institutions in the interest of all. Democracy, evidenced in the multiplicity of functioning political parties, periodic election, and adherence to constitutionalism is about protecting all in society, guaranteeing citizenship and participation and holding leaders that emerge from the democratic process accountable at all times as they serve the people. For democracy to work and have meaning in the lives of all citizens, it must be nurtured and defended robustly everywhere and at all times. We must never take it for granted, make opportunistic exceptions, manipulate it or think that we can subvert it at one

point and it would right itself at another level.

For democracy to work in any society, developed or developing, it must be anchored at the grassroots, in the community, and even the family. The grassroots is the heart and soul of democracy. Any socio-political edifice constructed without regard to the grassroots is bound to wobble and crumble. If the foundation of any democratic project, indeed any project is faulty, it cannot be expected to last much less meet declared objectives. This is why politics and elections at the local level must be taken as a sacred activity and an embodiment of the struggles, sacrifices, and hopes of our people.

This is the second time that we are having local government elections in our renewed commitment and efforts at building a sustainable democratic nation. The last time was under the transitional arrangement of the military. If we do it right, and there is no reason why we should not do so, it would contribute significantly to our quest for democratic consolidation. If we do not do it right, it could impair and negate all the sacrifices we have made in the past and subvert our democratic aspirations. In fact, if we fail to do things right at the grassroots, we lay a weak, unreliable, and unsustainable foundation that will most likely take us back to where we started from in 1999. We must ensure that we all do everything possible to avoid this.

In a couple of days we will be conducting elections into the local government councils. I urge all Nigerians to once again demonstrate the spirit of tolerance, patriotism, vigilance and commitment to democratic values and practice.

We must all eschew violence and all tendencies to mediate the smooth running of the elections and learn to accept election results with magnanimity. The world is watching us and our conduct and performance would go a long way to putting a definitive stamp on our full commitment to democratic processes. I call on all Nigerians to exercise their democratic rights by coming out to vote for their respective choice. This is the way in which the people can become part of the democratic process, drive the process in the direction of fulfilling their mandate and claim ownership of the democratic agenda.

Those seeking votes, those voting, even those that cannot vote for one reason or the other, should commit to the democratic process by making the local government election a resounding success. The Police must remain impartial, protect citizens without discrimination, and ensure that the entire process is orderly. If necessary, the military is on alert to support the police. I hope and pray that it would not be necessary to call out the military anywhere during the election. The State Independent Electoral Commissions have a sacred duty to perform in these elections. They must discharge their responsibilities impartially and honestly without fear or favour recognizing that whatever they do in this world, they would have to account to their Creator beyond this world, someday. As to the contestants, let me say that this should not be seen as a do or die event. In every election, some people win while others lose. They should remember that unjust victory will never last. Whatever victory you win justly or fairly will enjoy the blessing of Almighty God.

Fellow Nigerians, let us use this local government election exercise to continue to build a solid, transparent and sustainable foundation for our democratic enterprise. Let us begin to entrench the culture and tradition of accountability, honesty, social justice and service to the people by electing persons that understand and live in their communities and are driven by patriotic and nationalistic ideals. We must never forget that the quality of governance, leadership, and improvement in facilities, services and infrastructure we get will be largely determined by the quality of the people we vote into power.

I urge all Nigerians to carefully reflect on the past, look at their present conditions, recall previous disappointments, and use their votes wisely in the interest of today and the future.

Thank you and may God bless Nigeria.