Major contenders in the 2023 general elections on Saturday spoke their minds over the country’s independence day, delving into different areas that touch Nigerians.
The candidates in their different messages sued for peace and unity adding that Nigeria’s problem are not insurmountable.
In his statement, the presidential candidate of the ruling party in the country (APC), Bola Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace unity irrespective of ethnic, religion or regional diversity.
He added that Nigerians should not undermine national purpose in pursuit of narrow gain.
“This anniversary of our independence offers us the opportunity to take stock of how far we have come as a nation and how far we must go to achieve a better nation,”Tinubu said
“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.
“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.”
“Thus, on this occasion of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day, I congratulate all Nigerians everywhere. I wish you all a memorable celebration of both peace and unity.”
In the same vein, the major opposition party’s presidential candidate(PDP), Atiku Abubakar said independence day anniversary should serve a solemn reminder that Nigerians must fix the issues that continue to compromise the national unity.
The former vice president stressed doing this would invariably fix issues that upset country’s peace and security and subsequently create an environment that can encourage economic prosperity.
“The celebration of Nigeria’s Independence Day is a solemn reminder that we must fix the issues that continue to compromise our national unity,”Atiku said
“And when we do this, we would invariably fix issues that upset our peace and security and subsequently create an environment that can encourage economic prosperity.
“Happy 62nd Independence Day, Nigeria 🇳🇬. -AA”.
While congratulating Nigerians on the celebration of independence day,the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP),Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to remain hopeful in the country despite her imperfections
“We have all the reasons to celebrate our motherland despite her imperfections. I want to say that Nigerians shouldn’t despair, as there is hope for the living.
“Nigeria has come a long way, Happy 62nd Independence Day.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all her people”,he tweeted
Joined the millions of Nigerians to celebrate 62nd independence day anniversary,the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi says Nigeria has what it takes to become a great country
According to Obi,the problems facing the country are not insurmountable but can only subdued with a purposeful leadership in place
“As a nation and people, we cannot lose hope or give up. Intractable as our problems are, they are not insurmountable. We can easily overcome them when there is a purposeful and transformative leadership in place; one that will not makes excuses and will not be indifferent to the rule of law, equity and justice.
“Nigeria holds out hope of unfettered development, growth, greatness and indeed, dreams of infinite possibilities. But we must seize the moment. We must rescue and turn our country around. It is our challenge and our duty. We, therefore, cannot ignore the present deafening clarion call for change.
“Today, Nigeria is on the cusp of her national redefinition and rebirth. We are also on the eve of seminal general elections; a critical juncture of hope mixed with understandable trepidation. Yet I am convinced that our collective national fate and our faith in Almighty God, will lead us to an electoral legitimacy in 2023 that will reaffirm that sovereignty in our Republic belongs to the people; and that we can collectively usher in a new and productive Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s morning has come. This is the time for Nigerians to rescue their country from the clutches of failure, rascality and corruption that have held it down for long. That is the true independence Nigeria needs. We need independence from economic brigandage, tribal and religious disunity, poverty and unproductivity. We need independence that will liberate Nigerian youths.”
“Fellow Nigerians,let us take back our nation from those who have perfected State Capture and build a better society for ourselves and our children.