In an interview with the BCC, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Federal Government has “technically won the war” against the Islamist Boko Haram militants. Also in his Christmas message to Nigerians on Thursday, Buhari said that the change slogan of his party, the All Progressives Congress, was not a mere campaign gimmick but a promise that must be kept. Buhari said that the militant group could no longer mount “conventional attacks” against security forces or population centres.
Buhari said the militant group had been reduced to fighting with improvised explosives devices and remained a force only in its heartland of Borno State. He said his administration was determined to bring about tangible changes in the lives of Nigerians. Buhari made the promise in his 2015 Christmas message to Nigerians.
The message which he personally signed was made available to journalists on Thursday by the Media and Publicity Office of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.The President said efforts would be intensified to recover stolen funds, block revenue leakages and enthrone due process, transparency and accountability.
He urged Nigerians not to allow the current socio-economic and security challenges in the country to dampen their expectations for a better Nigeria. He said his administration had taken a number of measures to restore hope to the people, adding that the 2016 budget defined his government’s commitment to giving Nigeria a new lease of life.
He said:
“Our change slogan is not a campaign gimmick but a promise that must be kept. We are determined to bring about tangible changes in the lives of our people”.
“In this regard, efforts will be intensified to recover stolen funds, block revenue leakages and enthrone due process, transparency and accountability”.
“Public office is a public trust that must be held to the highest ethical standards. I wish all Nigerians a Merry Christmas. Please drive carefully.”
While felicitating with all Nigerians on this year’s Christmas, Buhari asked them to use the occasion to rededicate themselves to the virtues of peace, love, honesty, justice, equity, piety, humility and service to others which Jesus Christ taught. He added:
“There can be no doubt that a greater manifestation of these virtues and ideals in our lives will immensely help us to become a more united, peaceful, secure and progressive nation.
“Let us also reach out in love and compassion to fellow Nigerians who are in distress at this period of our nation’s history.
“I particularly urge you all to remember the victims of terrorism and insurgency in the country, especially the Internally Displaced Persons.
“The Federal Government will continue to collaborate with the state governments and other stakeholders to ease the harsh conditions in IDP camps, while the ultimate objective remains to quickly put an end to insurgency and return the IDPs to their homes.
“We must never again allow any group to hold the nation to ransom under whatever guise.”