President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the newly-elected governors in the country to deliver on their campaign promises to the people when they assume office.
Buhari said by May 29, the governors-elect would be called upon to steer the affairs of their states for the next four years and become wholly responsible for the states as an enterprise.
The President urged them to take their responsibilities with almost responsibility to justify the trust bestowed on them by voters or get voted out of office after four years.
He said this in his remarks delivered by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the induction programme for governors organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja on Monday, May 15.
President Buhari said: “I am happy to note that democracy is alive, vibrant, and thriving in Nigeria.
“With the elections now over, it is time for us to deliver the promises we made during the campaigns.
“The assumption of office is a constitutional process that we must take with utmost dedication, in the light of the trust bestowed on you by those who elected you into office.
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“One interesting development that we all saw from the last election is that the electorate is maturing, and people are increasingly finding their voices.
“Any public officer who fails to either meet up with the expectations of the people or deliver on his campaign promises would be voted out in the next election.
“That is what democracy is about. Deliver or get shown the door out.”
Buhari further enjoined the governors to promote ideals that would address the challenges of democracy and governance in the country today.
He said the role of the sub-nationals was critical in Nigeria’s socio-economic development as a nation.
“Your proximity to the people gives you the privilege to have an instant pulse on their needs and challenges and yours is to device creative and judicious means of addressing the myriad of issues that confront them daily,” the President added.
Buhari further stated that as returning or incoming state executives, they must be cognisant of the comparative advantages inherent in each of their states; how they could form partnerships with each other, by leveraging on their various strengths while recognising that no one size fits all solutions.
President Buhari said: “I also bid you to take this opportunity to unite across party divides to put the country first. Nigerians desire peace, progress, and security. A country where they have access to quality education, health, and social services.
“Your ability to champion these values significantly impacts the atmosphere wherein the delivery of social goods and services will be conducted efficiently and harmoniously.”
Buhari added that in spite of the challenges, his administration had made steady progress since he took office in 2015.
Also speaking at the event, the NGF Chairman and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, tasked the governors-elect on full diversification of the Nigerian economy.
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