Dear Nigerians: I address you today with a deep sense of world history, particularly the history of our great country. Following the recently canceled presidential election, I am, as I believe you are, deeply disappointed by the results of our recent efforts to lay the foundation for a viable democratic system of government in Nigeria. For this reason, on behalf of myself and the members of the National Defense and Security Council, as well as my entire government and my compatriots, I would like to express my condolences for the invalidation of the elections. The experience of the last elections under the transition program to civilian government was rather disappointing. Nigeria has come a long way since this government came to power and leadership about eight years ago. In an effort to resolve critical and monumental issues and challenges to national independence and social progress, this government has initiated and implemented robust and justified reform policies and programs. These policies and programs have influenced virtually every aspect of our national life: the economy, the political process, social structures, foreign relations, bureaucracy, and even the family system. I firmly believe that these policies and programs are not only valid in terms of understanding, concept, formulation and articulation, but also relatively irrefutable. I also believe that as time passes, history will certainly give great importance to the administration in running our country. I would also like to express my deep conviction that the strategy and basic structures of our policies and reform programs announced in 1986/87 will remain relevant and lasting for a very long time in the process of positive change in our country. I believe that when the government leaves power, we will leave behind a prosperous country, a country with an economy whose structures will be permanently reversed. The average Nigerian has accepted the fact that their social progress lies essentially in their own hands, in collaboration with other Nigerians, and does not simply depend on what the government alone can provide. Gone are the days when men and women flocked to government institutions in search of work and charity. His administration has laid the foundation that will enable Nigerians to free themselves from previous colonialist motives and the burdens of colonialism. We have laid the foundation for self-sustaining economic development and social justice. We have created a new foundation in our country on which economic liberalization will continue to thrive alongside democratic forces and a deregulated power structure. In doing so, the average Nigerian has internalized and internalized the values of hard work, resilience and self-confidence more than ever before. It is true that we have achieved this through the implementation of our policies and reform programs and, in particular, thanks to the visionary zeal with which we have approached the task and responded to possible pressures from the leadership, we engendered a number of social forces in the country.
This was done because we wanted to challenge and transform existing social forces that have historically hindered the growth and development of our country. We also tried to get in touch with the new forces that led to our action programs. Therefore, we encountered some difficulties in dealing with the dynamics of old and new social forces. In particular, in the process of resolving the intertwined relations between the old and new political forces and institutions, some problems arose, which gave rise to a number of difficulties and therefore required manipulation of the rules and regulations established in the political program. In doing so, the government has inadvertently created great public distrust of its intentions and objectives. We have therefore identified some gaps and contradictory responses to pressure and pressure from governments in implementing policy measures. I believe that the difficulties in the transition program, especially from the last quarter of 1992 to the recently canceled presidential elections, are mainly due to deficiencies in the implementation of the action programs which, although objectively carried out, may have led to a deviation from the original Framework and structure of the program. Fellow Nigerians, it is true that following the cancellation of the presidential election, we all find ourselves in a special historical moment that was not foreseen or anticipated in the transitional reform programs announced in 1986/87. In this situation, the government had no choice but to respond appropriately to the unfortunate experience at the end of the presidential election. Our actions are fully consistent with the original objectives of the transition to the civilian program. This was also in line with the government’s stated commitment to national unity, stability and democracy. When this government declared the presidential elections invalid, it was conscious of its promise made in November 1992 to resign on August 27, 1993 and to implement a return to democracy. We are determined to keep this promise. Because this transition must end like any other transition, I believe that our transition program should and must end fairly and honorably. History will testify that as a government, in all our political decisions, we have always sought to lay the foundations of lasting democracy. Sustainable democracy is not a temporary expression of enthusiasm and manipulation by an overly articulate section of the elite and their captive audience; Sustainable democracy is a continuous regime that aims to nourish the soul of the entire nation and the political process. Therefore, as we have always emphasized, it is logical that sustainable democracy is synonymous with political stability. Guided by our sad historical experiences, we need nothing more than the foundations of a lasting democracy. As a government, we cannot afford to leave Nigeria in a Third Republic whose democratic health will be compromised. Nigeria must therefore face its own reality; It must solve its problems independently of other models of democracy in other parts of the world.
In my address to the nation in October 1992, when the first presidential primaries were canceled, I rightly reminded our countrymen that the practice of democracy is not the same anywhere in the world, even if the principles are similar and even for countries that they share the same intellectual tradition and cultural foundation. The story of our country is not the story of any other country in the world that practices advanced democracy or is struggling to lay the foundations of democracy. However, despite Nigeria’s unique and specific character, some conditions represent the incontrovertible minimum of democracy. These relevant factors include: Dear Nigerians, you will recall that the Armed Forces Governing Council had good reasons to cancel the primaries precisely because Last year’s presidential primaries did not meet the basic requirements of free and fair elections. These issues also affect the recently canceled presidential elections. Even before the presidential elections and also during the party conferences, we were fully aware of the false signals regarding the massive violation of the rules and regulations of democratic elections. However, because we were determined to meet the August 27, 1993 deadline for the restoration of civilian government, we overlooked the reported violations. Unfortunately, these violations continued to escalate until the presidential elections of June 12, 1993. The presidential candidates were accused of irregularities and other inappropriate behavior, but the National Election Commission went further and justified them. There was evidence and documented evidence of widespread use of money in party primaries and presidential elections.This is the same bad behavior that led to the cancellation of the party’s presidential primary in 1992. Evidence submitted to the government shows that the total expenditure of the presidential candidates amounts to more than two billion one hundred million naira (2.1 billion naira). Once again, the use of money was the main cause of disruption to the electoral process. Although the National Defense and Security Council was aware of these allegations and evidence prior to the June 12, 1993 election, the National Defense and Security Council ignored these problem areas in its determination to fulfill its pledge and keep its promises to the elected electorate. . President on time.In addition to the enormous negative use of funds in party primaries and presidential elections, there were also moral issues that were overlooked by the National Defense and Security Council. , cases of conflicts of interest between the government and the two presidential candidates have been documented and confirmed, which would jeopardize their position and responsibilities in the event of a presidential election. We believe that politics and government are not ends in themselves. Rather, the true goal of politics must remain service and the effective improvement of the situation of our people.
It is true that the presidential election was widely perceived as free, fair and peaceful. In reality, widespread voter fraud occurred in almost every state in the federation before voting began. Confirmed reports of electoral abuse were received against party representatives, National Electoral Commission officials and some members of the electorate. Although this is a clear violation of electoral law, there is evidence of manipulation through the offer and acceptance of money and other forms of persuasion against officials of the National Electoral Commission and members of the electorate. Signs of conflict also emerged in the process of accreditation and recognition of the qualifications of presidential candidates.In fact, until the final hours before the elections, we continued to sincerely respect the transition period, ignoring important facts. For example, following the Council’s deliberations following the court order suspending the elections, a majority of the members of the National Defense and Security Council voted to postpone the elections by one week. This is intended to give the NEC enough time to contact all voters, particularly in rural areas, regarding the postponement. However, since the National Electoral Commission was convinced that it could provide this information to the entire electorate a few hours before the elections, Council unfortunately abandoned the idea of postponing the election day. Now we know better.The electoral process, candidates’ behavior and post-election reactions have continued to generate signals that the nation can only ignore at its peril. Against this background, the administration was very concerned when these conflicts and policy violations were brought to court. It must be admitted that the functioning of the justice system in this case was not satisfactory. The justice system is the bastion of hope and freedom for our citizens. Therefore, when it became clear that the courts were being intimidated and manipulated by the political process and special interests, the entire political system was clearly in danger. This government could not continue to watch various Supreme Courts conduct lengthy trials and contradictory decisions while the nation descended into chaos. In this situation, the National Defense and Security Council decided that it was in the best interest of public order, political stability and peace to cancel the presidential elections. As an administration, we have shown special interest and concern not only for the immediate needs of our society, but also for laying the foundation for future generations. Further action on the basis of the elections of June 12, 1993 and the announcement and installation of a President who promoted the “divide and rule” campaign between our ethnic groups would be harmful to the survival of the Third Polish Republic. We need peace, stability and political continuity for the benefit of all our citizens.
Dear compatriots, although the National Election Commission and the Center for Democratic Studies officially invited foreign observers to the presidential elections, the government also considered it important, as in a democratic society, that our electoral activities and procedures are open not only to our citizens of the country. country, but also to the rest of the world. Despite this commitment, the Government has not and cannot accept foreign states interfering in our internal affairs and undermining our sovereignty. The presidential election was not an exercise forced upon Nigerians by the United Nations or at the behest of some guardians of global democracy. It was a decision made independently of our country’s government and in the interests of our country. In fact, we, like other countries, believe that democracy and democratization are fundamental values that Nigerians should nurture, support and consolidate in order to promote the freedom and social development of their citizens. The actions of these foreign countries are extremely unfortunate and regrettable. At no time in the history of our country or the third world in general can one say that these countries have loved Nigeria or Nigerians more than we have loved ourselves and our country. Nor can they claim that they love Nigeria more than this government loves our country. In this context, I would like to declare that this government will take necessary action against any interest group that attempts to interfere in our internal affairs. Against this background, I would like to commend this government for its patience and understanding with the Nigerian, French, German, Russian and Irish governments in the current situation.I appeal to our countrymen and also our foreign critics to develop a solid understanding and understanding of the special historical circumstances of our country’s development and the determination of not only this government but all Nigerians to resolve the current crisis. . Dear Nigerians, The National Security and Defense Council has met several times since the June 12, 1993 elections. The Council has fully taken into account not only our stated commitment, but also the desire to leave to posterity a sound economic and economic framework. We will strengthen the political base in our country and do so with honor. Our deliberations have also highlighted numerous and extensive consultations with other members of this Government, with officers and men of the Armed Forces, and with well-meaning Nigerian opinion leaders. We are committed to handing over power on August 27, 1993.
Therefore, the National Defense and Security Council decided that the two political parties would carry out the necessary process of selecting the two presidential candidates by the end of July 1993, under the supervision of the newly organized National Election Commission. This is done in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the election of the country’s president. Therefore, the government, in consultation with the two political parties and the National Electoral Commission , will agree on the best and fastest procedure to conduct the elections. In light of our recent experience and taking into account the mood of the nation, the National Defense and Security Council has issued additional conditions to broaden and deepen the basis for the election of the President and to purify the electoral process. Therefore, candidates in the next elections must:
- Not be less than 50 years old.
- Have not been convicted of any crime;
- Believe, by act of faith and practice, in the corporate existence of Nigerians;
- Posses records of personal, corporate and business interests which do not conflict with the national interests;
- Have been registered members of either of the two political parties for at least one year to this election.
All persons previously excluded from participation in the transition process, with the exception of those with criminal records, will thus be unblocked. Now everyone can take part in the electoral process. The goal is to improve the quality of election candidates while making optimal use of our country’s leadership resources. A regulation in this regard will be announced. Dear Nigerians, in conclusion, I would like to emphasize the enormous value of your patience and understanding, especially in the face of national provocations.I urge you to continue to believe in this government’s commitment. I urge you to continue to believe in the unity, peace and stability of our country because it is the only country that you and I can call our country. Nowhere in the world can Nigerians ever be considered first class citizens despite encouragement and encouragement from abroad. Nigeria is the only country we have. We must therefore renew our hope in Nigeria, our faith and our self-confidence to continue to grow, develop and progress. Thank you everyone and God bless you.
