In a video posted on Youtube today by US Embassy Nigeria, US president
Barack Obama sent a message to Nigerians asking them to stand up against
violence and express their views peacefully during the upcoming
election.
Transcribed version of what he said in the video below...
Hello. Today, I want to speak directly to you—the people of Nigeria.
Nigeria is a great nation and you can be proud of the progress you’ve
made. Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule,
and strengthened democratic institutions. You’ve strived to overcome
division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength.
You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build
the largest economy in Africa.
Now you have a historic opportunity to help write the
next chapter of Nigeria’s progress—by voting in the upcoming elections.
For elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful.
All Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or
fear.
So I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their
supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections—and that
they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before,
during, or after the votes are counted. I call on all Nigerians to
peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call
for violence.
And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all
citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins.
Successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the
urgent challenges you face today. Boko Haram—a brutal terrorist group
that kills innocent men, women and children—must be stopped. Hundreds
of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families.
Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes.
Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to
build. By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s
progress.
I’m told that there is a saying in your country: “to keep Nigeria one is
a task that must be done.” Today, I urge all Nigerians—from all
religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions—to come together and keep
Nigeria one. And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity,
and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend
and partner in the United States of America.
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