Anger, joy, disappointment, and all the top reactions from President Buhari’s Speech

President Buhari returned from his medical vacation in the UK on Friday, and after his aides announced he’d be giving a speech this morning, the whole nation waited with bated breaths. Well he has finally addressed the nation, and while we have one or two things to say about it, we’ll rather share transcripts of the speech with you, and how Social Media reacted to it.

If you have already seen it, you may want to skip to the reactions.

My dear citizens,

I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters.

In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with 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 start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.

Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let 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 and attraction 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 versus 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.”

And Social Media reacts

Social media crackdown imminent #Presidentialbroadcast

— Mercy (@AbangMercy) August 21, 2017

Buhari sounded like he’s angry with the social media forgetting that the social media brought him to power
#Presidentialbroadcast

— O. S. E. (@_ikhalo) August 21, 2017

I can give an instant Citizen's feedback to President @MBuhari that his Speech this morning was a a terrible case of MISSED OPPORTUNITY. ✍️️

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) August 21, 2017

What Nigerians wanted @MBuhari to talk about:
His Health
What @MBuhari decided to talk about
Nigeria's Unity
Total disconnect from reality

— Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) August 21, 2017

That was short, sharp and direct. No innuendos. #PresidentialBroadcast #Buhari

— Wale (@treasuredebo) August 21, 2017

#PresidentialBroadcast Very unimpressive disjointed speech!!! pre-recorded &heavily edited!
6 minutes speech to explain 105 days absence!!!!

— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )🇳🇬 (@emmaikumeh) August 21, 2017

Let's be clear. The #PresidentialBroadcast wasn't to address important issues about governance. It was a warning to critics and agitators

— Jèfé Juan José (@Jefe_says) August 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/uncleDemola/status/899519149562617856

You Heard the Man….Nigerias Unity is Non-Negotiable …So all those Ultimatum Landlords and Nnamdi…Be afraid …#PresidentialBroadcast

— Dan D Humorous (@deehumorous) August 21, 2017

2 things were clear in d #PresidentialBroadcast. 1. They want to control Social Media so bad. 2. They refer to criticism as hate speech

— Jèfé Juan José (@Jefe_says) August 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/dadiyata/status/899525611957268481

One day, Buhari will no longer be president, and we will talk about all the excuses/goalpost shifting many of you made for him.

— Chidi Okereke (@Chydee) August 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/899529878588059648