ICC Note: Fulani Muslim President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated in Nigeria on Friday, placing the Boko Haram fight and the rescue of the Chibok girls at the top of his security agenda. The country’s new leader, painted as a no-nonsense corruption fighter and astute military leader inherits a nation ablaze with violence in the north and Middle-Belt where extremist Muslims regularly target Christians. To Buhari’s credit, he publicly acknowledged the priority of security threats facing Nigeria including Boko Haram and Fulani herder attacks, which ICC has regularly documented as some of the most dangerous threats towards Christians in the country.
Being Inaugural Speech by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, following his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Friday, May 29, 2015A
I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.
I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation. Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country.
I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted. I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. At the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive.
I thank all of you.
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