Outgoing President Buhari Hails Nigeria's Democracy in Farewell Speech

Nigeria's outgoing President, Muhammadu Buhari, gave his farewell speech on May 28, marking the peaceful transfer of power from his democratically-elected government to the incoming administration. Buhari expressed gratitude to God, appreciation to all Nigerians, and humbly acknowledged the fulfillment of his duty as president.

"Today, we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigeria's democracy," Buhari said. "This year we witnessed the most keenly contested Presidential Elections since the first Republic, and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election."

The outgoing Nigerian leader stressed the need for sustained growth within Nigeria's electoral process, which would spur the country to "take its rightful place among nations."

President Buhari also appealed to all parties that did not win, to accept the courts' ruling and come together to build a better Nigeria.

On Monday, May 8, the West African nation's election tribunal began hearing petitions filed by opposition candidates in the 2023 presidential election challenging the victory of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives' Congress. Last week, the tribunal announced plans to consolidate all opposition petitions challenging the outcome of the election in order to expedite its ruling, as the president-elect is scheduled to be inaugurated on May 29.

"Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court," Buhari stated. "I salute the doggedness and resilience of all the Presidential Candidates and their political parties for believing in our judicial system by taking their grievances with the election results to court."

Buhari also acknowledged that despite differing opinions on how to make Nigeria better, everyone shared the same belief of creating a better nation.

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While advising Nigerians to embrace that spirit as they move forward, the outgoing president saluted and congratulated his "friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years", Bola Tinubu.

"I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world," Buhari said. "You have indeed worked for this day, and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher than I am leaving."

Buhari praised his fellow APC party member Tinubu as the "best candidate among all the contestants", adding that the Nigerian people "have chosen well."

Reflecting on his time as president, Buhari acknowledged that the past eight years had been exciting and a period of growth. The President said he had worked hard and relied heavily on public support for a Nigeria where public services were available and easily accessible to all in a united, peaceful and secure nation.

Buhari, who served two terms as Nigeria's head of state from May 2015, noted that the high expectations Nigerians had of him and his administration were justified because the general population was tired of seeing Nigeria drift further away from the path of what is right and just.

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"To ensure that our democracy remains resilient, and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent and the influence of money in politics [is] reduced to the barest minimum. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice," he said.

Buhari also addressed the state of the Nigerian economy, acknowledging the resilience the economy has displayed in the face of global economic downturns. Buhari expressed his satisfaction with the strategies his administration put in place, such as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which set the pace and informed global best practices adopted in fighting the virus.

He also noted that his administration boosted the ability of Nigeria's poor and rural population to earn a living, provided more food to Nigerians in villages and farmers, and gave women opportunities to be economically empowered. Young urban men and women were also supported to use their skills towards being productive citizens by creating self-employment opportunities through various programs.

Regarding infrastructure, the President recapped some notable achievements in the completion of long-standing projects including the Petroleum Industry Act, the completion of some power projects, the second Niger bridge, and key roadways linking different states and cities.

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In terms of security, President Buhari noted that the battle to ensure a safe and secure environment in Nigeria had achieved significant results with the reduction of crimes such as banditry, terrorism, robbery, and other felonies. To sustain these gains and build on them, the leader advised Nigerians to remain vigilant and support the security agencies by adhering to the values of brotherhood and camaraderie.

"I cannot and will not forget the millions who prayed for me during my illness in my first tenure of office. I am constantly praying for you and for Nigeria to thrive in peace," Buhari concluded. "As I retire home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the in-coming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a great nation. I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015."