Over recent months, Niger Delta militants have stepped up their bombing campaign, destroying oil facilities in the region and reducing Nigeria's output. Despite recent attempts to negotiate a truce between the militants and the government, the violence has continued and it appears that President Buhari is losing patience.
In his 56th independence day address, President Buhari also said his administration was working hard to reposition Nigeria for prosperity, urging Nigerians not to be deterred by the current economic crisis, which he said will not last. He added that he would not deviate from the hallmark of transparency and honesty.
President Buhari said: “On this day, 56 years ago, our people achieved the most important of all human desires, freedom and independence. We should all, therefore, give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today.
"Security is a top to bottom concern and responsibility as besides Boko Haram, we are confronting other long-running security issues, namely herdsmen vs farmers, cattle rustling and kidnappings. This administration is firmly resolved to tackle these challenges and to defeat them.”
He added that he is well aware of the economic hardships Nigerians are facing and his government would do its best to address the matter. President Buhari said temporary problems should not blind or divert Nigerians from the corrective course this government has charted for the nation.
We have identified the country’s salient problems and we are working hard at lasting solutions. To re-cap what I have been saying since the inception of this administration, our problems are security, corruption and the economy, especially unemployment and the alarming level of poverty.
"A new insurgency has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta militants. This administration will not allow these mindless groups to hold the country to ransom as what sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or village is put in darkness as a result?" President Buhari added.
He asked what logic is there in blowing up an export pipeline and as a result income to one's state and local government is reduced. Releasing pigeons flanked by the vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, President Buhari reiterated that no group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the federal government and succeed.
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