President says musicians contributed to APC success at the polls

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday expressed his gratitude and that of the APC for the contributions of artistes to the party's victory in 2015 general elections.

President Buhari, who was declaring open the Kaduna Music Festival (KADAMFEST), said the story of the 2015 elections could not be honestly told without acknowledging the contribution of some artistes to the APC’s success.

``Many were the efforts made to build a strong party and persuade people that an alternative exists to the incompetence of the PDP.

``We politicians did our best. But the story of 2015 cannot be honestly told without acknowledging the contributions of creative people to the APC’s success.

``Many actors, musicians and writers - from different strands and in various styles- drew Nigerians to the banner of change.

``In speaking the language of the people, enlightening and mobilising them with words and images they could understand, I doubt if any politician surpassed the likes of Dauda Rarara and other musicians.

“You - our artistes gave hope to our people and persuaded them to believe that things could really change.’’

He further stated the musicians preached both peace and hope leading to democratic change.

According to him, this application of creative talent to the cause of political change in a dire moment for the nation deserves eternal gratitude.

He said: ``As President, I say a formal thank you today on behalf of myself, the APC and our victorious candidates.

``In appreciating talent, we have a duty to ensure that we do not turn our backs, or reduce the creative sector to something that we engage only during elections.

``We who have been inspired or benefitted in other ways from creative talent owe an obligation to help ensure that the talented can live on their gifts.

``Those who identified with us, sang, danced and rapped for us when we were seeking office.

The President commended the Kaduna State Government for organising the KADAMFEST.

He said it offered a platform to acknowledge musicians from all over the country for helping to make 2015 the year of change.

He said that KADAMFEST also reflected the Kaduna State Government’s approach to giving momentum to the growth of the creative industry in the state.

President Buhari noted that the Kaduna State Government had attracted private sector sponsorship for this festival, and did not have to put in its own resources.

He thanked the sponsors of the festival and urged other companies to do more to support his administration’s efforts to boost employment in the country.