* Reiterates his commitment to credible, free, fair polls in 2023
* Promises to complete 2nd Niger bridge, other ongoing projects in South-east
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has projected that at the end of his eight-year tenure as civilian president in May 2023, issues evolving around Nigeria’s security and economy would have been effectively addressed.
He has, therefore, said he would want to be remembered as the president who stabilised Nigeria in the area of security, economic prosperity and triumph over corruption.
While reiterating his commitment to a credible and fair general election in the country come 2023, the president also promised to complete the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge, as well as other ongoing federal projects in the South-east geo-political zone.
President Buhari, who spoke Thursday in Owerri at a town hall meeting with South-east leaders during his one-day official visit to Imo State, said with less than two years left in his eight-year tenure as president, security still remains a major priority for his administration.
According to him, ‘‘If there is no security, there is nothing anyone can do no matter how much you try or the initiative you have. Security is number one priority and then the economy. When people feel secure they will mind their own business.”
He emphasised that while fighting corruption in Nigeria had become very sophisticated and difficult, he would continue to strive to leave a lasting legacy of integrity and accountability in the system.
He said: ‘‘Nobody can accuse me of having companies or mansions anywhere in the country and I thank God that I try to keep myself as clean as possible, so that I cannot be taken hostage. I will do my best to ensure that Nigerians that try hard and succeed in their efforts.”
On the forthcoming 2023 general election, the president reaffirmed his commitment to free, fair and credible polls, urging leaders to sincerely educate their constituencies on the need to hold their elected representatives accountable.
Acknowledging the resourcefulness and enterprising spirit of the Igbo people, President Buhari said: ‘‘The fundamental thing about the Igbo people is that there is no town you will visit in Nigeria without seeing the Igbos being in charge of either infrastructure or pharmaceutical industry.
‘‘Therefore, it is unthinkable for me that any Igbo man would consider himself not to be a part of Nigeria. The evidence is there for everyone to see that Igbos are in charge of Nigeria’s economy.’’
Noting that no country can make any meaningful progress without the development of infrastructure, the president expressed regret that successive governments at the federal level contributed to the decay of critical infrastructure in the country.
He promised that the federal government would complete ongoing key projects in the South-east, including the 2nd Niger Bridge as well as the railway lines and routes linking the region with other parts of the country.
‘‘I firmly believe that when you get infrastructure right, Nigerians will mind their own businesses,’’ he said, adding that as a group, the Igbos stand to benefit more from the ongoing development of infrastructure in the country because ‘‘they are more enterprising’’.
Earlier in his remarks during the town hall meeting, Governor Hope Uzodinma said Ndigbo believe in a united Nigeria predicated on ‘‘justice, equity and fairness’’.
He thanked the president for addressing the interests of Ndi Igbo through deliberate policy initiatives designed to give the people a true sense of belonging, including the ongoing construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge, among others.
Governor Uzodinma said the people of South-east would remain grateful to the president for approving the establishment of a Naval Base in Oguta Local Government Area of the state, adding that as time unfolds, the economic benefits of the base would manifest.
He also commended the president for strongly supporting the appointment of two prominent Igbos into two key international organisations — Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General of Health Emergency Intelligence, World Health Organisation (WHO).
Also speaking, the President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor, assured the president of the continuous support of Ndigbo.
‘‘Ndigbo are committed to Nigerian unity and there is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria. Ndigbo in Nigeria are like fish in the ocean and no matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean.
‘‘Mr President, it is in this context that we see a new dawn in your distinguished presence in Igbo land and believe that on your return to Abuja, the significance and substance of this visit will form new foundation of a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues of concern to the Igbo nation,’’ he said.
President Buhari had earlier commissioned four projects executed by Governor Hope Uzodinma, including the Naze/Ihiagwa/Nekede/Obinze link road, the Balloon Driven/Flood Control drainage at Dick Tiger Road, the Egbeada Bypass road and the New Exco-Chambers, Government House, Owerri.
Addressing Imo residents at the commissioning of Egbeada bypass named after a prominent son of the state, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the president said he was very impressed with the level of work done by the state government.
‘‘I am very pleased with what I have seen and I assure you that I will support Imo State within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ he said.
