Full Text of President Muhammadu Buhari's Broadcast Today

Today August 21 2017, the President of the federal republic of Nigeria addressed Nigerians after a long time. The president has been away in United Kingdom since May 7 for medical treatment. 

The president however returned home on Saturday and was warmly welcomed by the citizens in Abuja. 

Femi Adesina had earlier said the president would address Nigerians today and so it was. Read the full text of president buhari's speech below:

"My dear citizens,

I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back home soil to be with my people.

In the course of my stay in UK, I have been kept in daily touch with the events at home. Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far.

In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.

Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to steer trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back peace and order, if necessary with their blood.

Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without threat or hindrance; I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.

This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence.

The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.

The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart.

Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.

Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.

Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against, elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets, kidnappings, farmers and herdsmen clashes in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all.

Finally, dear Nigerians, our collective interest now is to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of economic security, political evolution and integration as well as lasting peace among all Nigerians.

I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained. I am so glad to be home.
Thank you and may God bless our dear Nation".