Buhari to Nigerians: Let our actions, utterances strengthen democracy

President Muhammadu Buhari has underscored the need for all Nigerians to tailor their actions and utterances towards strengthening the country’s democracy despite their differences.

President Buhari spoke on Saturday in Kaduna during the Combined Passing Out Parade of the Cadets of 67 Regular Course and Short Service Course 46 (Army) at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

• #EndSARS: Buhari orders IGP to take action, as Trey Songz joins protest
• Buhari pays condolence visit to Yar’adua’s family in Kaduna

The President, who was the Reviewing Officer, said the loyalty and patriotism displayed by service personnel must be sustained and strengthened.

“To my other compatriots, I want to use this forum to appeal to our sense of patriotism.

“Despite our obvious differences, we must strive to ensure that our actions, and utterances are aimed towards strengthening our democratic framework.

“We must subsume our personal and sectional interests to the overall national aspirations of unity, economic prosperity and good governance,” he  said.

President Buhari, who voiced confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Army to protect the territorial integrity of the nation, particularly in the ongoing war against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, assured that the Federal Government would increase manpower and improve training to meet the changing dynamics of security in the country.

The President, who said the nation was passing through a time of great need for cohesion, peace and unity, lauded “the resilience and steadfastness of our personnel in the Armed Forces for their professionalism and bravery in tackling the menace of terrorism, insurgency and armed banditry in the North East and North West zones as well as herders/farmers conflict, kidnapping, piracy and communal clashes in other parts of our country.”

“Let me at this juncture, restate our administration’s will to support the operations of the Armed Forces in the defence of the nation. Just recently, I approved the increment of manpower intake into the three services in order to cater for the deficit of personnel being experienced.

“Additionally, the Federal Government will sustain the provision of adequate modern equipment, logistics and infrastructure needed to support the operations of the Armed Forces.