Muhammadu BuhariVerified account

The grievous loss of lives & property arising from the killings in Plateau today is painful and regrettable. My deepest condolences to the affected communities. We will not rest until all murderers and criminal elements and their sponsors are incapacitated and brought to justice.

Together, we will all build a cohesive party; that will do Nigeria a world of good. The APC will serve Nigeria to the best of our God-given abilities.

I thank and congratulate members of the immediate past executive, led by Chief John Odigie Oyegun, for their selfless service to our party, and urge them to always lend the wisdom of their experience to the new executive members.

I believe we have put in place an executive that we all can be proud of, one that would lead the APC from victory to victory, from progress to progress, and one that Nigerians can be proud of.

Let me remind all APC members that we belong to one party, and it is not about winners-take-all. Rather, the purpose is to build a party that would put its best foot forward, and serve Nigeria to the best of its ability.

I must also commend the Convention Committee under the leadership of Governor Badaru Abubakar, for providing a level playing field and instilling confidence in both aspirants and delegates with their thorough approach and adherence to transparency.

I commend all the delegates from across the country for their sacrifice and patience, travelling from far and wide to fulfill their obligations to the party, and to democracy. Thank you for your commitment.

As I said yesterday, I‘m confident that despite a few lingering issues, the APC is emerging stronger from this Convention. I will continue to ask all those who have grievances to keep faith with the party; we will not relent until we have put all things right.

We are members of one party, and it is not about winners takes all. Rather, the purpose is to build a party that would put its best foot forward, and serve our country to the best of its ability.

Everything was done in an atmosphere of give and take, knowing that in such contest, only one person would ultimately win. Let the victors be humble in victory, and let those who didn't win be gallant and gracious in defeat.

I salute aspirants who for the common good, had to shelve personal ambition, and stood down for others they were to have contended with. I also salute those who went the whole way, contested, were voted for, and who emerged victorious, or otherwise.

However, it is my intention to seek to remedy some of the most critical of these issues through a supplementary and/or amendment budget which I hope the National Assembly will be able to expeditiously consider.

Notwithstanding the above stated observations, I have decided to sign the 2018 Budget in order not to further slowdown the pace of recovery of our economy, which has doubtlessly been affected by the delay in passing the budget.

An example of this increase is the budget of the National Assembly itself which has increased by 14.5 billion Naira, from 125 billion Naira to 139.5 billion Naira without any discussion with the Executive.