In a video posted on Youtube today by US Embassy Nigeria, US
president Barack Obama sent a message to Nigerians asking them to stand
up against violence and express their views peacefully during the
upcoming election.
Experts from the video…
Hello. Today, I want to speak directly
to you—the people of Nigeria. Nigeria is a great nation and you can be
proud of the progress you’ve made. Together, you won your
independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic
institutions. You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s
diversity into a source of strength. You’ve worked hard to improve the
lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.
Now
you have a historic opportunity to help write the next chapter of
Nigeria’s progress—by voting in the upcoming elections. For elections
to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful.
All Nigerians must be able to cast their
votes without intimidation or fear. So I call on all leaders and
candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no
place in democratic elections—and that they will not incite, support or
engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are
counted. I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and
to reject the voices of those who call for violence.
And when elections are free and fair, it
is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter
who wins. Successful elections and democratic progress will help
Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today. Boko Haram—a brutal
terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children—must be
stopped. Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their
families. Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to
their homes.
Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and
all that you have worked to build. By casting your ballot, you can help
secure your nation’s progress. I’m told that there is a saying in
your country: “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.” Today,
I urge all Nigerians—from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all
regions—to come together and keep Nigeria one. And in this task of
advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians,
you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of
America.
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