Saturday is a special day for our democracy.

TEXT OF BROADCAST BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF NASARAWA STATE, ALH. (DR.) ABDULLAHI ADAMU (SARKIN YAKIN KEFFI) TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE ON THE 2003 GENERAL ELECTIONS, LAFIA, 17TH APRIL, 2003.

My good people of Nasarawa State, it is with great delight and deep feeling of appreciation that I address you today on the on-going general elections in the State and in the country as a whole.

Last Saturday, you came out in large numbers to exercise your civic duty by voting massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the National Assembly elections. You did not only demonstrate confidence and trust in our great party the PDP, you gave us 100% victory by returning all our National Assembly candidates victorious in the election.

I sincerely and specially thank you for the victory you gave the PDP and for the peace and decorum that prevailed in the State during last Saturday's election. Although, we are happy that our party, the PDP won, we are even much happier that the election was free, fair and peaceful. The maturity you exercised on Saturday, April 12, 2003 is a pride and credit to Nasarawa State. By conducting yourselves peacefully, you showed that our young state and its people are ready for democracy.

Next Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission will be conducting the election for State Governors and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the date for my own election and that of the President, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo. Saturday is therefore a special day for our democracy. I urge all citizens of Nasarawa State to come out massively to cast their votes peacefully. I urge you to set aside all engagements to ensure you exercise your franchise in the election.

Although last Saturday's election was peaceful, I urge you all to be vigilant and to ensure peace in your communities during the election this Saturday. This is because parties that lost in the last election may be more desperate to win this time around. Also, the election of Governors and the President has more stakes. Therefore, political parties are usually more desperate to win in Governorship and Presidential elections. I urge all citizens to watch out for those who may want to disrupt the peace no matter their party affiliations.

I urge all members and supporters of our great party, the PDP which by the special grace of God is the winning party in Nasarawa State and indeed all of Nigeria, to be law abiding and vigilant. Those who are losing may be less interested in the peaceful conduct of the election on Saturday. But the PDP and all its supporters must ensure a peaceful atmosphere through exemplary and mature conduct during the election.

We must remember that it is because of our maturity and seriousness that majority of Nigerians are voting for the PDP throughout the country. And because we are the winning party, we must do everything to ensure that the elections are free, fair and peaceful.

I also urge all the other political parties to show a high sense of duty to the country by ensuring that their supporters conduct themselves peacefully in all the remaining elections. Victory is not as important as the survival of democracy and Nigeria. Moreover those who lose this year may win some other time. It is therefore important that all Political Parties ensure their supporters are law abiding, calm and peaceful throughout the general elections. Without peace democracy cannot thrive. Without peace we can never realize our various political ambitions. I urge all politicians and political parties to ensure that peace prevails throughout the remaining sets of elections.

I wish to thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State for their performance thus far. Although voting materials arrived many polling stations late, there were generally adequate election materials in most polling units and INEC staff performed above average. I urge the INEC in the State to ensure early arrival of voting materials at polling stations during the remaining elections. I also wish to thank security agencies and their personnel for an above average performance during the last elections.

The next election scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2003 will be more challenging. I urge the Police and other Security agencies to beef up their operations to maintain the peace at all polling stations. Government will render whatever assistance possible to the police to enable them perform their legitimate duties during the elections.

My good people of Nasarawa State, I once more thank you for the confidence and trust you have demonstrated in our great party, the PDP. I urge you to continue to vote PDP because it offers the best hope for Nasarawa State and Nigeria. The PDP is the only truly National Party that cuts across religion and ethnicity. It is the Party that unites Nasarawa State and unites Nigeria. It provides the only option for unity, stability and progress in the years ahead.

In Nasarawa State the PDP has in the last four years delivered its promises through my humble stewardship. Today Nasarawa State is making progress in all sectors. I assure you of even better performance in the years ahead. We are determined to make Nasarawa State a better place for our children.

It is already very clear that the PDP is the winning Party in Nasarawa State and in Nigeria. I urge you not to waste your vote. Vote wisely. Vote the winning Party. Vote the PDP, so that together we can transform our state and our country.

Thank you very much for your support. May Almighty God bless our state and our country.