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“Fellow Nigerians, When in December 1983, the previous navy management, headed by Main-Normal Muhammadu Buhari, assumed the reins of presidency, its accession was heralded within the historical past of this nation. With the nation on the mercy of political misdirection and on the point of financial collapse, a brand new sense of hope was created within the minds of each Nigerian.
”Since January 1984, nevertheless, we’ve got witnessed a scientific denigration of that hope. It was acknowledged then that mismanagement of political management and a basic deterioration in the usual of dwelling, which had subjected the frequent man to insupportable struggling, have been the explanations for the intervention.
“Nigerians have since then been underneath a regime that continued with these developments. Occasions at this time point out that many of the causes which justified the navy takeover of presidency from the civilians nonetheless persist.
“The preliminary goals have been betrayed and elementary modifications don’t seem on the horizon. As a result of the current state of uncertainty, suppression and stagnation resulted from the perpetration of a small group, the Nigerian Armed Forces couldn’t as part of that authorities be unfairly dedicated to take accountability for failure.
“Our dedication to the reason for making certain that our nation stays a united entity worthy of respect and able to functioning as a viable and credible a part of the worldwide group dictated the necessity to arrest the state of affairs.
“Let me at this level try to make you perceive the premise upon which it grew to become essential to alter the management. The rules of discussions, session and co-operation which ought to have guided decision-making technique of the Supreme Army Council and the Federal Govt Council have been disregarded quickly after the federal government settled down in 1984.
“The place a few of us thought it applicable to offer somewhat extra time, anticipating a conducive environment that will develop, through which political opinions could possibly be attended to with better sense of accountability, it grew to become more and more clear that such expectations couldn’t be fulfilled.
“Regrettably, it turned out that Main-Normal Muhammadu Buhari was too inflexible and uncompromising in his attitudes to problems with nationwide significance. Efforts to make him perceive {that a} numerous polity like Nigeria required recognition and appreciation of variations in each cultural and particular person perceptions, solely served to worsen these attitudes.
“Main-Normal Tunde Idiagbon was equally inclined in that respect. As Chief of Employees, Supreme Headquarters, he didn’t exhibit the suitable disposition demanded by his place. He arrogated to himself absolute information of issues and options, and acted in accordance with what was handy to him, utilizing the equipment of presidency as his device.
“A mix of those traits within the two most essential individuals holding the nation’s important workplaces grew to become not possible to content material with. The state of affairs was made worse by a variety of different authorities functionaries and organisations, chief amongst which is the Nigerian Safety Organisation (NSO). In reality, this physique will likely be overhauled and re-organized.
“And so it got here to be that the identical authorities which obtained the tumultuous welcome now grew to become alienated from the folks. To forestall a whole erosion of our given mandate due to this fact, we needed to act in order that hope could also be rebuilt.
“Let me now handle your consideration to the foremost points that confront us, in order that we might, as one folks, chart a future route for our expensive nation. We don’t fake to have all of the solutions to the questions which our current issues have put earlier than our nation. We’ve include the strongest dedication to create an environment through which optimistic efforts shall be given the mandatory help for lasting options.
“For issues of the second which require quick resolutions, we intend to pursue a decided programme of motion. Main points falling into this class have been recognized and choices taken on what ought to be achieved.
“Firstly, the problem of political detainees or convicts of particular navy tribunals. The historical past of our nation had by no means recorded the diploma of indiscipline and corruption as within the interval between October 1979 and December 1983.
“Whereas this authorities recognises the bitterness created by the irresponsible excesses of the politicians, we think about it unlucky that strategies of such nature as to trigger extra bitterness have been utilized to cope with previous misdeeds. We mustn’t ever enable ourselves to lose our sense of pure justice. The harmless can not endure the crimes of the responsible. The responsible ought to be punished solely as a lesson for the long run. In keeping with this authorities’s intention to uphold elementary human rights, the problem of detainees will likely be regarded into with despatch.
“As we don’t intend to steer a rustic the place people are underneath the worry of expressing themselves, the Public Officers Safety Towards False Accusation Decree Four of 1984 is hereby repealed. And eventually, those that have been in detention underneath this decree are hereby unconditionally launched. The accountability of the media to disseminate info shall be exercised with out undue hindrance. In that course of, these accountable are anticipated to be forthright and to have the nation’s curiosity as their major consideration.
“The problem of decrees has generated quite a lot of controversies. It’s the intention of this authorities to assessment all different decrees.
“The final twenty months haven’t witnessed any important modifications within the nationwide economic system. Opposite to expectations, we’ve got to date been subjected to a gentle deterioration within the basic lifestyle; and insupportable struggling by the extraordinary Nigerians have risen increased, shortage of commodities has elevated, hospitals nonetheless stay mere consulting clinics, whereas academic establishments are on the point of decay. Unemployment has stretched to essential dimensions.
“As a result of stalemate, which arose in negotiation with the Worldwide Financial Fund, the previous authorities launched into a collection of counter-trade agreements. Beneath the counter-trade agreements, Nigerians have been compelled to purchase items and commodities at increased costs than obtained within the worldwide market. The federal government intends to assessment the entire challenge of counter-trade.
“Loads has been stated and heard about our place with the Worldwide Financial Fund. Though we formally utilized to the fund in April 1983, no progress has as but been made within the negotiation and a stalemate has existed for the final two years.
“We will break the impasse that annoyed the negotiations with a view to evaluating extra objectively each the detrimental and optimistic implications of reaching a mutual settlement with the Fund. Always in the midst of discussions, our representatives will likely be guided by the sentiments and aspirations of the Nigerian folks.
“It’s the view of this authorities that austerity with out structural adjustment is just not the answer to our financial predicament. The current state of affairs whereby 44 per cent of our income incomes is utilised to service money owed is just not life like. To guard the hazard this poses to the poor and the needy in our society, steps will likely be taken to make sure complete technique of financial reforms.
The crux of our financial issues has been recognized to centre round 4 elementary points:
1. A lower of our home manufacturing, whereas our inhabitants continues to extend.
2. Dependence on import for each shopper items and uncooked supplies for our industries.
3. A grossly unequal hole between the wealthy and the poor.
4. The big function performed by the general public sector in financial exercise with hardly any concrete outcomes to justify such a job.
These are the issues we should confront.
ON FOREIGN POLICY:
“Nigeria’s international coverage within the final 20 months has been characterised by inconsistency and incoherence. It has lacked the readability to make us know the place we stood on issues of worldwide concern to allow different nations relate to us with seriousness. Our function as Africa’s spokesman has diminished as a result of we’ve got been unable to take care of the respect of African nations.
“The ousted navy authorities performed our exterior relations by a coverage of retaliatory reactions. Nigeria grew to become a rustic that has reacted to given conditions, slightly than taking the initiative because it ought to and all the time been achieved. Extra so, vengeful concerns should not be the premise of our diplomacy. African issues and their options ought to represent the premise of our international coverage.
“The realisation of the Organisation of African Unity of the Lagos Plan of Motion for self-sufficiency and constructive co-operation in Africa shall be our major pursuit.
“The Financial Neighborhood of West African States should be reborn with the view to attaining the target of regional integration. The issues of drought-stricken areas of Africa will likely be given extra consideration and sympathy, and our greatest efforts will likely be made to help of their rehabilitation throughout the limits of our sources. Our membership of the United Nations Organisation will likely be made extra sensible and significant. The decision for a brand new Worldwide Financial Order which misplaced its momentum within the face of the debt disaster will likely be made as soon as once more.
“Nigeria hereby makes a renewed request to the Non-Aligned Motion to regroup and reinvigorate its dedication to restructure the worldwide financial system, whereas we attraction to the industrialized nations to positively think about the debt plight of the growing nations and help in coping with the risks that face us. We will stay members of the varied multilateral establishments and inter-governmental organisations which we belong to and do what should be achieved to boost the membership and participation inside them.
“Fellow Nigerians, this nation has had since independence a historical past combined with turbulence and fortune. We’ve witnessed our rise to greatness, adopted with a decline to the state of a bewildered nation. Our human potentials have been uncared for, our pure sources put to waste. A phenomenon of fixed insecurity and overbearing uncertainty has turn out to be attribute of our nationwide existence.
“My colleagues and I are decided to alter the course of historical past. This authorities is set to unite this nation. We will not enable something to hinder us. We recognise {that a} authorities, be it civilian or navy, wants the consent of the folks to manipulate whether it is to succeed in its goal.
“We don’t intend to rule by pressure. On the identical time, we shouldn’t be anticipated to undergo unreasonable calls for. Basic rights and civil liberties will likely be revered, however their train should not degenerate into irrational expression nor border on subversion.
“The Battle Towards Indiscipline will proceed, however this time, within the minds and conduct of Nigerians, and never by means of symbolism or money-spending campaigns.
“This authorities, on its half, will be certain that the management displays correct instance. Criticisms of actions and choices taken by us will likely be given essential consideration and the place essential modifications made in accordance with what is anticipated of us.
“Let me reiterate what we stated in 1984: This technology of Nigerians and certainly future generations haven’t any different nation however Nigeria. We should all keep and salvage it collectively. This time it shall be pursued with deeper dedication and real sincerity.
“There’s quite a lot of work to be achieved by each single Nigerian. Allow us to all dedicate ourselves to the reason for constructing a powerful, united and viable nation for the sake of our personal lives and the advantages of posterity.
“Lastly, I want to commend the members of the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police for his or her mature conduct throughout the change.
“I thanks all on your co-operation and understanding.
“God bless Nigeria”.
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