The two leading contenders for the presidential race, President Muhammadu Buhari, and Mr Atiku Abubakar in separate broadcasts, have urged Nigerians to turn out massively to cast their votes, in the Presidential and National Assembly election slated for Saturday.

“Tomorrow, the polls open. Tomorrow, we affirm that Nigeria stands as a democracy and that no worldly hand can deter us from this wise and fitting path we have chosen for ourselves…As your President, I hereby ask all Nigerians with voting cards to participate in defining the future of our nation by exercising your democratic rights tomorrow. I urge you to go out and vote,” says Buhari, who’s seeking for second term on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in a broadcast on Friday morning.

In a similar vein, Atiku says in a live broadcast on Facebook on Thursday: “As you know this Saturday we have the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The reason we have elections is to allow us to have our voices heard on how we have been governed for the last four and who will govern us for the next four years.”

“On March 28, 2015, we the people of Nigeria went to the polling unit only with our PVCs, yet we were able to remove an incumbent President from office, that made me be a very proud Nigerian and a very proud Democrat.”

“I will be voting with mine on Saturday and I call on you all to please join me irrespective of who you will be voting for,” says Atiku.

Although a total of 73 candidates are angling for the presidency, the race is generally perceived as a two horse race between Buhari and Atiku. In spite of flashes of brilliance from many of the other 71 candidates, they lack the financial war chest to sustain a massive campaign structure across the country. This may also seriously affect their ability to garner votes. For instance, in the last Ekiti state governorship election, APC and PDP garnered 95 per cent of the votes, leaving the other 89 parties to struggle for the outstanding 5 per cent of the votes.

In what appeared as a way of lowering the barometer of the heated presidential campaigns, Buhari’s tone in the broadcast was largely temperate, according to Prof Akin Oyebode, an International Law scholar. He appears to be making some amends to his earlier directive to the security forces to shoot ballot box snatchers at sight.

“While democracy is the most beneficial way to select a nation’s leaders, it is far from the easiest thing to achieve and maintain. It requires a combination of patience, tolerance, compassion, diligence, wisdom and hope. These traits exist in us the Nigerian people. Because of who we are, democracy has the chance to flourish in this land,” Buhari says…

“Thus, I commend all of you for your patience and peaceful conduct so far during this electoral season and especially during this intervening week following the postponement of the February 16 elections. Many were worried and thought the worst might happen. You proved them wrong by showing that you are a great people with an abiding love for peace, democracy and the unity of our country.”

“According to the daily INEC public briefings given this week, the Electoral Commission says it is ready and fully prepared to conduct the election in a free, fair and transparent manner. I believe INEC realises the profound and weighty duty that rests upon it. We must cast aside doubt and have faith that INEC will rise to the occasion. We must believe and encourage INEC to fulfill and honour this responsibility it owes to our country,” he says

“As your President, I hereby ask all Nigerians with voting cards to participate in defining the future of our nation by exercising your democratic rights tomorrow. I urge you to go out and vote. I say this because elections are the cornerstone of representative governance. And voting constitutes the highest and best expression of the sovereign will of the people to choose the government that best represents them.”

“It is only upon the freely expressed will of the people that government truly dedicated to the welfare, rights and interests of the people can be founded. Do not allow anyone to discourage you from the exercise of your rights as citizens and voters tomorrow. To vote means that you believe in Nigeria and the excellent things the future holds for this nation and its people.”

Buhari says, “No matter our political leanings, we all believe in Nigeria, in the noble principles for which it stands and in the values we strive for our beloved nation to uphold. All who are able, must vote so that we may better perfect this democracy and continue to build the greater nation we seek. Do not be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest.”

“Our security agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures are in place. You will be able to vote in an atmosphere of openness and peace, devoid of fear from threat or intimidation. International and domestic monitors and observers are assured of their safety and freedom of movement needed to perform their important functions,” says President Buhari in a seeming departure of the earlier threats by Kaduna State governor, Mr Nasir El Rufai who threatened foreign observers with body bags if they interred in the election.  .

“As we thank domestic monitors and observers for their contributions to our democracy, we also thank the international groups for the friendship and concern they have demonstrated to our nation. We appreciate their efforts in encouraging us to further entrench and strengthen our democracy,”

“Tomorrow is an encounter with history in which you, the people, shall affirm your collective belief in our national greatness and in our future. I ask that you embrace and hold on to the importance of the moment soon to be upon us. Honour your civic duty as voters by going to the polls tomorrow to vote for the government of your choice, for the government that will lead Nigeria toward its finest destiny.”

“As citizens there is no greater duty than this and no greater honour. Tomorrow, I know you will once again make Nigeria proud of its people. May God bless our democracy and forever bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Buhari says.

The PDP Presidential Candidate, Mr Atiku Abubakar has also urged Nigerians to come out and vote in Saturday’s rescheduled presidential election.

The former Vice President made the call in a live broadcast via his social media channels.

“My message to you is simple, please come out and vote as this election is about your future and the future of our great nation.”

“As you know this Saturday we have the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“The reason we have elections is to allow us to have our voices heard on how we have been governed for the last four and who will govern us for the next four years.

“On March 28, 2015, we the people of Nigeria went to the polling unit only with our PVCs, yet we were able to remove an incumbent President from office, that made me be a very proud Nigerian and a very proud Democrat.

“I will be voting with mine on Saturday and I call on you all to please join me irrespective of who you will be voting for.

“God bless you and God, bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Atiku says..