On Sunday 12th June 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari addressed Nigerians in his usual Democracy Day address to the nation.
In the speech, he made reference to so many things including why the Democracy Day has come to be celebrated on the 12th of June instead of the original 29th of May, being the inception of Nigeria`s current democracy experience.
President Buhari reminded the nation of the evil of the annulment of the June 12 1993 election undoubtedly won by the late MKO Abiola, whose claim and fight to reclaim his victory led to his controversial death while in government detention.
However, as the nation looks ahead to the February 2023 presidential election, one thing that stands out in the president`s speech is his recommitment to quitting power at the lapse of his two terms of 8 years in Aso Rock.
There were many indications of this recommitment in the speech generally, but the clearest of them was when he said:
“Fellow Nigerians this is my last Democracy Day speech as your President. By June 12th, 2023, exactly one year from today, you will already have a new President. I remain committed and determined to ensure that the new President is elected through a peaceful and transparent process.”
With the above words, President Buhari is sure to leave the stage come May 29 20223, when the next elected civilian president is set to take the oath of office and be sworn in as Buhari`s successor.
Also noteworthy is Buhari closure in the speech, when he said “I will conclude this Democracy Day speech, my last as President”, which adds to the growing trust that Nigerians will see Buhari fly back to Daura, Kastina come May, 2023.
This off course will depend on the ability of the Nigerian security agents to either negotiate safe landing for the would be former President Buhari, or probably buy off the terrorists to avoid shooting down Buhari`S plane.
Nevertheless, this assurances will bring an end to what many watchers of event in the past 7 years of President Buhari`s regime have described as Nigeria`s most perilous years under any government, both civilian and military.
