TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says it is not by his power, but by the grace of God, that he won the 2015 presidential election.

He has also advised Nigerians to be patient and not accept democracy as a system of government but as a lifestyle in order to ensure development of the country.

He said Nigeria was adopting democracy from the western nations and studying the weaknesses and strengths of other nations to avoid mistakes, noting that if Nigerians decide to be hasty, some avoidable mistakes could be made.

The president was speaking on Friday when he paid homage to Umar Faruk Umar, the emir of Daura, his hometown in Katsina state.

“If Nigerians continuously follow the tenets of democracy, the country will always be at peace since democracy on its own with its institutions has the mechanism for resolving conflicts peacefully,” he said.

Buhari, who delivered his speech in Hausa, urged those who were aggrieved after the 2015 elections to seek redress through democratic means and institutions.

He urged those seeking elective positions to declare their interest and look for a political platform of their choice.

Buhari said when he joined politics in 2002, many people did not give him a chance because they knew his antecedents as a military officer. But he expressed happiness that the 2015 poll had shown clearly that it is God that chooses who becomes a leader.

“It is not by power, it is not by wealth but by the Grace of God that I won the election,” he said.

Buhari said that he decided to contest elections because of his commitment to serve the people and not to be served or to amass wealth.

He added that he had served the nation in different capacities in the past and had not had so much money in the banks either locally or abroad or anywhere in the world.

He said all he had over time is “integrity and commitment to serve the people” and said that he would fulfill his promises to the people.

Earlier, the monarch said he had known Buhari for his consistency, which had become the hallmark of his integrity. He said he was happy that Buhari was eventually elected as the president of the country after some trials.

The emir also observed that the president was not new in government and wherever he had served he always distinguished himself with integrity and in all he had returned home without a Kobo.

He urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration in order to allow Buhari deliver on his promises and appealed that the people keep praying for the president.