Former Military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has explained why he is in the 2015 presidential race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said if elected president, he wants to galvanize the economy and lead a general turn around in Nigeria. He said he also wants to provide gainful employment to the masses.
Buhari spoke during a visit to Rivers State to solicit the support of APC national delegates in the state ahead of the party’s presidential primaries.
Addressing the delegates at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, Wednesday, Buhari bemoaned the infrastructural decay in the country and the poor leadership offered by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“My message is just to remind all of us about the condition we are in this country and that next year 2015 is another political watershed in this country. If we allow by any means the PDP to continue, I don’t think by the end of their next term of four years even Nigerians can recognize their country, because all you need to do is to compare what state we were in 1999 when the PDP took over the centre and most of the states.
“In terms of infrastructure, we used Nigerian Airways, we used Nigerian railways, we used Nigerian Shipping line, even power at that time was relatively stable, more stable than it has been now after spending 20 billion US Dollars.
“Instead of seeing improvement in infrastructure, in way of life, quality of education, healthcare that immediately concerns the people, everything is going down, so Nigerians must vote PDP out next year. It is a question of survival. If you want our country, you want your son and your grandson to get education, to get healthcare, to get drinking water, to get security, you have to vote PDP out and I am here to ask you for your understanding and support because the journey of a million miles starts with one step.
“This is what APC is all about. We agreed to come together because we found out, no single political party could make any difference. As I said from 1999 till now, collapse of infrastructure, economy, manufacturing, therefore lack of jobs, therefore crises of all sorts,” Buhari stated.
He accused the PDP of lacking accountability and wondered how Nigeria could progress without an accountable leadership. “How can we go forward in this country if there is no accountability?” He queried.
On insecurity in the North-East, Buhari lambasted the federal government for failing to arrest the situation. He said efforts made by federal lawmakers to probe finances allocated to the country’s military were frustrated by government agents.
Buhari also dismissed claims that he would Islamize Nigeria if elected as the country’s President, explaining that he had no powers to Islamize Nigeria.
“I have no powers to Islamize Nigeria. No Muslim can Islamize Nigeria as no Christian can also Christianize Nigeria. Nigeria will remain Nigeria,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has upheld the virtues of General Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a true nationalist.
Amaechi who earlier addressed the state national delegates of the APC, said Buhari is a good presidential choice for the country to bring about change.
Again, he refuted claims that the former head of state is a religious fanatic.
“When I went to Ignatius Ajuru University yesterday, one young woman got up and said governor, ‘you have convinced me, I will vote for APC, but I have a problem’, and I said, what is your problem? She said ‘they say APC is an Islamic party, it will Islamize Nigeria,’ and I said they are referring to Buhari, so let me address her straight: Buhari’s driver is a Christian, his cook is a Christian, who else, the most important staff for a big man is his cook before his driver. So, if a man (like Buhari) can insure his life to somebody who does not belong to his religion, how else will he show you that he is not a religious bigot?”
“Now, those of us who have known him, we want to present him to you. If he wins primaries, we will present the true Buhari to Nigerians because they need to know that he is a different person from what these selfish politicians have portrayed him to be,” Amaechi said.
He urged party members to be dedicated and work for APC’s victory next year and advised national delegates from the state not to accept any financial inducement at the party’s forthcoming presidential primaries in Lagos.
“If Buhari will bring money, we will reject it. If Atiku will bring money, we will also reject it”.
Amaechi also appealed to party members to get their permanent voter’s cards and sensitize other APC supporters in the grassroots to also get their’s or go for fresh registration. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Mr. Buhari, Truly speaking at this age of yours you have little or nothing to offer this country. You have already ruled Nigeria by force as a military detector. What else do you want at this age.
ReplyDeleteWhat has age got to do with brain? Atleast we have seen where PhD holder has taken us to.
Deletesee me see case o! to help person na by force now? if u dnt av ulterior motive bhind dis ur ambition to rule,y nt give up? well its true nija is nt properly ruled but acceptin u(gmb) as d saviour is lyk jumpin frm fryin pan to fire. if anybdy is takin powa frm gej,it mstn't b u. tnx for ur concern abt nija but nijas dnt wnt u.
ReplyDeleteWho are you speaking for? Your self l guessed, anyway old or not atleast we can't say clueless or dull brain.
Deletewat oda chance do u require.u wia a forma president,u wia at p.t.f.evn as an elder statesman in Nigeria,we havnt felt ur impact.my relative was killed in bauchi in 2011wyl serving her mother land as a corper bcos of ur incitive statement.buhari,I hate u and I hate u wit passion.
ReplyDeleteHe will still lose again if at all he scale through the primaries
ReplyDeleteAt this age, he wants to govern as a democrat with a sole aim of liberating his people like Nehemiah.
ReplyDeleteLets give him a chance and see what he has to offer us. We have been seeing pdp since 1999, we should try another party's agenda. Changes or new different ideas may help
ReplyDeleteIs better we stay with d devil we know and hope for changes than accepting d angels we don't know their origin.
Deletebut during the time of buhari he stop corruption and stop all the bad leaders
ReplyDeleteAs long as Buhari forcefully terminated the civilian rule of Shehu Shagari, seeking for the peoples mandate under what he considers some years ago as a taboo is immoral. His conscience should tell him that since APC claims to be the progressives. May be he thought he will remain in the military forever or that army will rule to eternity. Morally he remains disqualified, secondly his anti christian and religious extremism is an odd against him,he may pretend to be nice just to get power, once he get he will bring out his real person. Remember many innocent corpers that died in 2011 as a result of his incitement. IS IT ONLY WHEN THE NORTH IS IN POWER THAT NIGERIA WILL HAVE PEACE?
DeleteYour analysis is very poor. Under what circumstances did he truncate Sagari's govt? If we don't embrace this change that we are seeing now, we may have the second only other option of military takeover the way the BADLUCK administration is going. Some of you should come out of your shallow thinking and embrace this opportunity to change our destiny for better. This opportunity may never present it self again.
DeleteHe punished indiscipline with a passion during his first coming as head of state but now sees nothing wrong in aw makers climbing over nass gates and fence It is a pity. Is this how he will go about leadership should he make it this time.It is clear that he is now no different from the politicians he throw into jail as head of state. CI kena!
ReplyDeleteMay the better man win.
ReplyDeleteto hell with all this tribal sentiment. i know that the first 5 peolple that pasted comment are south south that is why they behave like that. ok ur man said by next year half of remaining subsidy will be removed, phcn again want to increase tarrif, devalue naira, brought austerity, could not fight corruption, impunity, and so on and u said he should continue. but am telling u that the worst of other party is better than the best of pdp since 16 years ago. we need a change. pls let us change our mind and leave darkness. the rich people keep riching. what of masses and the are not pitying us. think otherwise
ReplyDeleteFor the ist time on this forum, NE, I decided to comment on issues being discussed here. I have few message to pass across here... & I want to say here dat our problem in d nation is not PRIMARILY a good leader. Ist, we need to address our individual mentality & try to live as one with love. I can tell u today dat the politics of today esp in Nigeria is the type where a candidate looses an election, he/she would go any extent to ensure dat d nation/state is ungovernable! This is not only in politics. Take a look at our daily lives maybe in offices, wen ur colleague who is in d same level with u is promoted even wen u also merited to be as well, nature has it dat u will become grossly jealous! The truth here is that even if APC by d candidature of Mr Buhari wins this coming elections, there will stil be crisis here & there, thereby distablising the administration of the newly elected government. And may I quickly point out here dat d population of Nigeria abt two decades ago isn't same as it is now. Greed is eating deep in d minds of people now than ever b4. You can't completely compare how our country was then & now! As far as I am concerned, the present administration, thou haven't performed wonderfully well (thou as a result of so many uncontrollable crisis) has done far better off dan past administration both in terms real Democratic dividends, transparency in d state of affairs of the nation & development. Listen, I am not a fan of Jonathan administration bcos I stil have areas to criticize him esp in d area of being too "gentleman" esp in some sensitive issues. May I also remind us that during d last general elections, people who voted for Jonathan Neva did so bcos he was in PDP. Rather he voted cos Nigerians do want A military man in power again! Buhari, Obasanjo etc were all Ex military men & their leadership can neva be as good as a neutral civilian candidate. In summary, if APC wants to win nxt gen election, they should forget abt Buhari or Atiku as their candidate.The natural truth is dat wen u marry a man & he doesn't seem to b wat u perfectly wanted, u will always say had I know, maybcos u seeing anoda man whom u think is better out there. Like I said b4, d problem here is not all abt d government. Individuas in terms of their characters & mentality have some roles to play to better this nation. As for me, APC or buhari is not the solution to our country cos APC are corrupt too. God bless Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteKellykelz
Abeh leave story. Buhari for president. Jons must go.
DeleteDis is d real issue,kellykelz has spoken well but Aninymius4:26 has started d stupity DAT is our major problem, imagine him saying Jona must go without any reason,how can dis country move forward?pray for Naija everyday.
DeleteThose infrastructure were stable before the birth of Some APC leader Atiku, who is still importing generator, go and asked OBJ that where are the PHCN power equipment that he bought they are rotten end at the port . So go and sleep you can't rule us again, we have other pple who can do it. Do you even know that Nigerian has advanced beyond those reason of yours?
ReplyDeleteBuhari shld go and rest, he is closer to the grave and has nuFfin to offer Nigeria, no messiah will come from better APC member. That party doesn't have any agenda that will favour anybody.
ReplyDeleteBuhari. ... those ideas are outdated O.
ReplyDeleteBUHARI IS AS GOOD AS A DEAD MAN....HE SHOULD GO AND DIE PEACEFULLY AND LEAVE THE RACE FOR THE YOUNG ONCE
ReplyDeleteYou can go and die roughly with your corrupt demonic president. Buhari is coming back to rule your sorry ass.
DeleteI have said it before and am saying it again. I want change in Nigeria. If APC can bring this change, very good but let APC present a better presidential candidate outside GMB. Out there, there is at least APC Governor from south East who can win this 2015 election on platform of APC. APC we are ready to support you but please present a better Candidate before its too late for you.
ReplyDeleteIF APC PRESENT EITHER FASHOLA, OSHIOMOLE OR OKOROCHA THEY CAN WIN, BUT IF NOT THEIR POLITICAL GAMBLING TO FAILURE HAS JUST BEGUN.
ReplyDeleteHMMMMMMM..........................
ReplyDeleteAPC POWER !!!!
ReplyDeleteJONATHAN IS LIKE A VIRGIN TRYING TO MAKE A SEX TOY.
he has no clue what he is doing.......nigeria has never been in so much chaos.
Well let me help Buhari. Buhari: "Fellow Nigeria there I forgot something in Aso Rock. I want to pick it up". Sorry Mr. Buhari we cannot be fooled the second time, forget whatsover you have forgotten, thanks. There is nothing clueless about GEJ
ReplyDelete