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President Muhammadu Buhari has given a brief insight into his preparations for the last general elections, saying the technology used for the polls were provided by “foreign partners” after he confronted them with a scary scenario of a refugee crisis that may follow another round of fraudulent poll in Nigeria.
He said his presentation “pricked their conscience” and they provided the needed support, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Mr. Buhari did not name the partners he contacted.
He spoke Friday at the inauguration Gala Night held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
Many Nigerians and international observers believe the success of the 2015 elections was principally due to the use of biometric voter cards and card readers, introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
President Buhari said he had lost elections three times in the past, and went to the tribunal with the help of Nigerians, but that he was happy that the will of Nigerians made his victory possible this time around.
He said Nigeria, being a populous country, would always have a direct impact on other African countries.
He said if things went wrong in the country, they would go wrong in Africa because the continent could not manage any refugee crisis from Nigeria.
He said when he consulted the foreign partners and confronted them with the refugee scenario, it pricked their consciences and they assisted with technology to enable a successful vote count in the last elections.
Mr. Buhari insisted that previous election results were written in private homes and announced on the radio and that getting the courts to reverse them was difficult.
The president said that he will seek the support of Europe, America and Nigeria’s neighbours in tackling the unemployment and security problems confronting the country.
He said his administration would focus on agriculture and mining to engage the unemployed youths who form more than 60 per cent of the population.
“I ask Nigerians to please bear with us; a lot of damage has been done,” he said.
He said Nigeria’s friends in Europe and U.S. had spoken to him personally and had identified security as the major challenge facing the country.
“Nigeria has to be well secured and efficiently managed; this is what the APC is all about,” he said. “This was why the legacy parties made the sacrifice of jettisoning their personal ambitions, tried to come together and took the bull by the horn and therefore brought it down and slaughtered it literally.”
He said the party in power had realised its problems and made the sacrifice.
“Nigerians pray a lot; we need to even pray the more for luck so that expectations our people have, especially the youths would be met,” Mr. Buhari said.
He said the unemployment level was the “keg of gunpowder we are sitting on” and the administration had resolved to secure Nigeria as soon as possible.
He thanked Nigeria’s neighbours for helping the country to fight insurgency.
He added that his administration would articulate the nation’s requirements after studying the handover notes from the past administration then consult the immediate neighbours, Europe and U.S. for possible assistance.
In his remark, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, described the inauguration of Mr. Buhari as historic for the nation and indeed Africa.
He said the transition from one party to another was a big achievement for the country.
“Democracy is the winner and Nigeria is the winner,” Mr. Buhari said. “I congratulate all those who made the election possible. I also congratulate former president Goodluck Jonathan for deepening democracy.”
He said the path of honour Mr. Jonathan took would not be forgotten and added that the new administration would need time to take stock and take decisions that would push the nation forward.
He urged the new president to recognise the diversity of the country and accommodate all since the nation’s diversity remained its strength.
APC chieftain, Bola Tinubu, said that a new era had dawned in Nigeria.
He said a commitment to building a new Nigeria had been consecrated.
“Buhari is principled, passionate and determined to develop the country,” Mr. Tinubu said.
He said the time was ripe for Nigeria to maintain its lead in Africa and the African renaissance must begin with the new President.
“The challenge is yours,” Mr. Tinubu said. “We that are looking up to you will continue to do so with great commitment and perseverance. Nigeria must lead.”
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