Former Head-of-State General Mohammadu Buhari and a front-runner for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday called for attitudinal change among Nigerians, especially persons of electoral age ahead of next year’s general elections.

Buhari was speaking in Ado-Ekiti during the activities marking the 54th Anniversary of Nigeria as well as the 18th year of creation of Ekiti State.

Gen Muhammadu Buhari

The former Nigerian leader came on the invitation of Governor Kayode Fayemi to commission some projects in commemoration of the governor’s fourth year in office which coincided with the Independence anniversary. The governor is scheduled to hand over the reins of power to Governor =-elect, Ayodele Fayose on 16 October, following the 21 June 21 election.

Buhari, who also said Nigerians must learn to elect good leaders, expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon overcome her present situation as long as her citizens were ready for the change.

He called on all Nigerians to be vehicles for change as events going on the country unfolded, stressing the need for them to be vessels of change that the country needed.

According to him, they will be helping the country by making sure they all collect their voter cards with which to perform their civic rights during the 2015 elections.

Buhari bemoaned the spate of insecurity in the country and its attendant loss of lives and property, saying outcome of next year’s elections will determine whether Nigerians are ready for improvement or not.

In a welcome address, Governor Fayemi thanked the people of the state for their support and cooperation over the last four years of his being in office.

The governor urged Ekiti people to shun all forms of bickering and come together in unity so as to move the state to greatness.

He pleaded with them to continue to support his administration until its last day on Oct.16 when he would be leaving office.

Highlights of the celebration include conferment of Ekiti State Merit Awards on some indigenes of the state who distinguished themselves in their chosen fields.

Among them was a popular physically-challenged newspaper vendor, Mr Moses Owiolabi and late popular musician, Chief Elemure Ogunyemi,

Also honoured was a 24-year-old Ekiti citizen who bagged Phd in Mathematics at the University of Lagos to make him the youngest African with a doctorate degree recently.

Among other dignitaries present were Fayemi’s wife, Bisi, Deputy Governor, Prof. Modup Adelabu, Speaker of the State Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin as well as former Governor, Segun Oni.