What message do you have for citizens as you conclude this conversation?

We, as citizens, must continue to show resilience in defence of our democracy and exercise our rights to vote. On March 18, I urge you, as patriotic citizens of our dear country, to come out in your numbers to cast your votes for the PDP. This is one of the ways you can demonstrate against the sham election of February 25. -AA

This quest is not for or about Atiku Abubakar. It is a quest for the enthronement of truth, morality, and accountability in our public affairs. In line with this, therefore, I am calling on all well-meaning Nigerians, leaders of thought, our religious leaders, our traditional leaders, our community leaders, our political leaders, and in particular, Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP and, the leaders of every political party in Nigeria, and, indeed, every single person who loves this country, as I do, and who wishes nothing but the best for the country, as I do, to join me in this campaign to enshrine probity, accountability and the basic principles of justice, morality and uprightness in our country and in our government. This is a task for each and every one of us. Thank you for listening. May God bless you, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Our responsibility now is to ensure that his labour was not in vain. We must continue the fight for transparent governance, for institutions that serve citizens rather than exploit them, and for a political culture that honours merit above mediocrity. For that is the union he hoped to build, and it remains the union we must become. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we conclude this memorial, let us remember that to celebrate Shehu Musa Yar’adua’s life is to renew our contract with the Nigerian dream he served. To his family, may the Lord continue to comfort and strengthen you. To his friends and comrades, let us remain faithful to the ideals we once pledged to uphold together. To the younger generation, know this: freedom and justice are never given; they are earned by courage, by conviction, and by sacrifice. May the Almighty God bless the memory of General Shehu Musa Yar’adua; soldier, statesman, and servant-leader. May He bless the Yar’adua Foundation for keeping faith with his legacy. And may He bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This morning, I was in Gwarinpa with other leaders of our party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including my brother, H.E. Peter Obi, ahead of the Saturday, February 21 FCT Council elections. We have been speaking with voters about why this election is important and why ADC candidates should be the right choice. This election is very important. It will say a lot about how ready the managers of our elections are to deliver free, fair and credible polls. It will also say a lot about how ready people are to chase the APC out. I have encouraged voters to come out in large numbers to vote for ADC candidates across all FCT Councils in the elections. Our party has fielded candidates with competence, capacity and character to offer quality leadership across local councils in Abuja. Voters have the responsibility to defy all forms of intimidation and make the right choice. The APC-led Federal Government under Bola Tinubu has failed citizens on many fronts. It has failed to fix the economy. It has failed to fix our education. It has failed to keep our country safe. It has pushed the citizens of a rich nation into deeper poverty. It has allowed criminal elements to hold citizens to ransom.

That must end. Your vote is far more valuable than any amount of money a politician can offer. Do not exchange four years of your future for one afternoon of inducement. A bag of rice will disappear. A few thousand naira will be spent. A campaign T-shirt will eventually fade. But the consequences of electing incompetent leadership will remain with you long after the campaign has ended. When you sell your vote, you are not merely exchanging a ballot paper. You are surrendering opportunities that belong to your generation. You are surrendering better schools. Better hospitals. Safer communities. Reliable electricity. More jobs. A stronger economy. And a government that truly works for everyone. Never underestimate the value of your vote. It remains the most powerful instrument any citizen possesses in a democracy. My dear young Nigerians, Please do not allow yourselves to become instruments of political violence.

Nigeria needs courageous leadership, active citizenship, and a generation determined to make this nation work. I believe that generation is here. I believe that generation is you. Together, let us rise. Together, let us rebuild. Together, let us renew the promise of our great nation. Thank you. God bless the Riseup Naija Movement. God bless the Nigerian youth. And God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. -AA

Your time is not tomorrow. Your time is now. Together, we can build a Nigeria worthy of your talent, worthy of your dreams and worthy of generations yet unborn. Long live the Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress! Long live the African Democratic Congress! Long live the young people of Nigeria! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Thank you, and God bless Nigeria. -AA

On security, the killings happening across Nigeria, in Kebbi, Zamfara, Plateau, Benue and Kano, among other places, are a reminder of how urgent this crisis has become. I have called on the Federal Government to urgently review and strengthen the security architecture, deploy adequate personnel across vulnerable communities, and intensify intelligence led operations. Our citizens deserve protection, dignity and peace, nothing less. I believe that with the right political leadership, our security forces have the capacity to take on the insecurity confronting this country, and it is urgent for citizens to unite and rescue Nigeria. When tragedies occur, including strikes that take the lives of innocent Nigerians, I have insisted this demands urgent review, accountability and decisive action to prevent a recurrence, because upholding the duty to protect every citizen is the ultimate essence of national security. I have also made clear that security forces must never turn on citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest, and that government and security agencies carry a paramount duty to keep people safe.