DEMOCRACY DAY: I’ll sign ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill in a few days’ time –Buhari

The President made this promise in a nationwide broadcast in commemoration of the Democracy Day on Tuesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he will, in a few days ’ time , sign into law the ‘Not too young to run’ bill.

He said , “ In a few days to come , I will be joined by many promising young Nigerians to sign into law the ‘ Not too young to run’ bill. ”

The bill, which is part of the process to amend the 1999 Constitution, seeks to reduce the minimum age requirement for elective positions in the country .

President Buhari also advised all and sundry to be law- abiding as the country enters into another election season .

He said , “ The upcoming months will usher us into another season of general elections. Let me use this opportunity to urge us all to conduct ourselves , our wards and our constituencies with the utmost
sense of fairness , justice and peaceful co- existence such that we will have not only hitch - free elections but also a credible and violence - free process . ”

It was first passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives in July 2017 . Many state houses of assembly in the country have also passed the bill.

The President, who reiterated that the fight against graft remained his
administration’s primary objective , vowed not to relent in killing corruption before it did an irreparable damage to the nation.

He said , “ The second primary objective of this administration is to fight corruption headlong . Like I have always said , if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will destroy the country . Three years into this
administration, Nigerians and the
international community have begun to applaud our policies and determination to fight corruption . We are more than ever before determined to win this war , however hard the road is . I , therefore, appeal to all well - meaning Nigerians to
continue to support us in this fight.

Buhari added that through prudent
spending and blocking of leakages, the nation’s foreign reserves had improved to $ 47 . 5 bn as of May, 2018 , as against $ 29 . 6 bn in 2015 .

Speaking further on the anti - graft war , Buhari noted that the fight against corruption , through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission , had resulted
in the recovery of billions of naira , as well as the forfeiture of various forms of assets

The President, who applauded women for their contributions to national development and advancement of democracy , also urged Nigerians to avoid hatred and intolerance.

This , he president said , would help the country to achieve its developmental objectives in an
atmosphere of harmony and peaceful co- existence.

The President described the
commemoration of 2018 Democracy Day, which is the third anniversary of his administration, as a celebration of freedom for Nigerians.

He said the celebration was also a
recommitment by his government to keep its promise to lead Nigeria into a new era of justice and prosperity.

Buhari admitted that his administration had faced challenges in the journey of three years while Nigerians stood by his government in achieving its three cardinal points.

He said , “ Today marks the 19 th year of our nascent democracy and the 3rd Anniversary of this administration. I am thankful to Almighty God for bringing us thus far.

This administration came at a time that Nigerians needed change , the change we promised and the change we continue to deliver.

“ The commemoration of this year ’s
Democracy Day is a celebration of
freedom, a salute to the resilience and determination of Nigerians and a recommitment by Government to keep its promise to lead Nigeria into a new era of justice and prosperity . ”