TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians to use the hope and joy that comes with the Christmas season to reinvest their trust in the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 

In a message to felicitate with Christians at Christmas, Buhari urged them to renew their faith in the ability of his administration to make a lasting difference in their lives.

Noting that security is one of his mandates, the president vowed that his administration will continue to provide the needed support, within available resources, to “the gallant members of our armed forces and security agencies ” as they confront the different threats to Nigerians.

“I felicitate with our Christian brothers and sisters in particular and all Nigerians in general on this joyous occasion of Christmas 2020, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ,” Buhari said.

“In Christendom, Christmas season represents joy, peace, hope, love, goodwill and imminent salvation. These worthy values which Jesus’ Advent symbolize, are very much needed in our country at this time when we are confronted with diverse challenges like rising spate of armed banditry, kidnappings, insurgency, economic recession and upsurge of COVID-19 infections.

“I wish to, therefore, enjoin fellow compatriots to appropriate the hope that comes with Christmas and reinvest trust in this Administration’s determination and unwavering commitment to restore peace, security and prosperity to our dear country.”

The president commended the armed forces and other security agencies, urging them to do more to checkmate increasing incidents of security threats across the nation.

He said as a parent, he feels the same emotional torture others go through when their children fall into the hands of criminal elements.

“Their display of tact, camaraderie, and expertise that led to the recent return of abducted schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, will remain a milestone in the annals of the country,” he said.

“For me, providing security for all residents in the country remains an article of faith. It formed a vital segment of this Administration’s three-point agenda right from inception, and we must follow through with it.

“I feel pained each time a breach of peace and security occurs in any part of the nation. I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in society.

“I plead with fellow compatriots to give our military and other security agencies more time, cooperation and support by volunteering credible intelligence/information on activities of armed bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements within their communities in order to put an end to this blight on our security landscape.”

On protests, the president reiterated that his administration will not fold its arms and watch protests, however, well-intended, “degenerate into wanton killings of law enforcement and other security personnel as well as destruction of private and national assets”.