There will be no debate with President Goodluck Jonathan, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate said yesterday.
Gen. Buhari said also that change revolution without firing a shot was imminent in the country.
Buhari, who spoke at an interactive session with members of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria( NPAN) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors( NGE) in Abuja, restated his stand against a debate with President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said there was nothing to debate after 16 years of misrule, especially what he described as the six years of bad governance under Jonathan.
He said: “To be fair to me and Mr. President, after 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and six years of his time, is there anything to debate?
“Very seriously, you know the condition we are in; we are all experiencing it, no matter who you are. So, what should I debate there?”
On the general election, Buhari said the shift on February 14 was unnecessary.
He said INEC made it clear that it was prepared for the elections.
He gave insights into what INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega told the Council of State meeting and how the military differed.
He said Nigerians were waiting to see whether or not the military would have rid Adamawa, Borno and Yobe of Boko Haram insurgency.
He said: “I will give you the latest. When INEC submitted a comprehensive document on February 14th election to the Council of State, a number of us made comments. INEC did a good job and they put it on record because after submitting a document, you cannot withdraw it.
“They submitted a document on what they had been doing since 2011, including training of personnel, acquiring election materials and how they were distributing them; and how they secured them.
“They even said they were ready to conduct the election because they had achieved about 60 per cent distribution of the voter cards. In the previous elections, it had never been better than 45 per cent. But they were prepared.
“Somehow, the military told them they cannot guarantee their security. Then six weeks were given and for Nigerians, those six weeks were within the perimeter allowed for the election. So, INEC said they should be allowed to give the military six weeks.”
Gen. Buhari said Nigerians had been watching the military on how it would secure the remaining local government areas before the polls.
He added: “The reasons given have exposed the inefficiency of the leadership because there were only 14 local government areas in the hands of Boko Haram. These were 10 in Borno, two in Yobe and two in Adamawa.
“If Nigerian military cannot secure 14 local government areas in six years, how can they do it in six weeks. We are watching. We have only about 10 days to go in the six weeks. Let us see. In spite of the help of our generous neighbors, let us see whether the remaining LGAs can be secured.
“So, those in favour of presidential debate have a lot to do to convince me to do it.”
On press freedom, Gen. Buhari said: “I want to give you my full assurances that in this democratic dispensation, I will ensure that the Nigerian constitution is upheld. This includes respect for the media, respect for the right to free expression and freedom of speech. Many of you are aware of Decree 4 of 1984, which was heavily criticised.
“I have said elsewhere that I cannot change the past. But I can change the present and the future. Dictatorship goes with military rule as do edicts, such as Decree 4.
“ However, I am a former—former, note the emphasis on the word ‘former’—military ruler and now a converted democrat, who is ready to operate under democratic norms.
“I am not only subjecting myself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time, but even after being elected, I will continue to promote the consolidation of democracy in our great country, Nigeria, by guaranteeing that the media’s freedom is not compromised in any way.
“I give you my full assurances that the Nigerian media will be free under our APC government.”
He urged media owners and editors to shun hate reports and slanderous political rhetorics.
He said: “I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to you to use your media outlets in shaping positive public discourse and eschew hate speech mongering and slanderous political rhetorics which heat up the polity for the sake of peace and stability of our dear nation.
“There are two specific reasons why I have invited you here today. The first is to use the opportunity to say a special thank you to the Nigerian media for the role you have played in advancing our country’s democracy thus far, and especially for being a platform through which Nigerians’ cry for change was articulated all around the world.
“On newspaper pages, TV screens and radio waves, the alarming depth of corruption and impunity in our country, the terrifying level of insecurity, and the grim state of our economy were kept constantly before the world’s eyes, making it impossible for the current government to doctor the truth, despite their meanest efforts.
“I urge you to not relent in your role as watchdogs, to continue to be the voice of the people. The health of Nigeria’s democracy rests partly on you. Without a robust and thriving media, the masses would have no voice.
“The electorate would also not have sufficient information to make sound decisions, such as deciding to vote out a clueless government and vote in change. “
Gen. Buhari added: “Our country is on the verge of something new. The tide has turned and the world can sense the wave of change that is about to flood this nation. In less than two weeks, the Nigerian electorate will head to the polls to make their voices heard. Through the ballot, without a single shot fired, a change revolution will likely take place. “
After his speech, Gen. Buhari responded to questions.
But it was not without drama when NPAN President, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, asked Gen. Buhari if he was ready to apologise to two journalists who were jailed in 1984 under Decree 4.
Immediately after Obaigbena asked the question, the Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, said: “Gen. Buhari had already answered that question by saying he cannot change the past but he can change present and the future.”
Contrary to rumours of a split in the opposition, ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and top leaders of the party attended the parley.
At the session, Gen. Buhari ruled out any presidential debate with President Goodluck Jonathan.
But the presence of Atiku at the session added flavour as it dispelled rumours of cracks in APC following a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the ex-Vice President.
Clad in a white kaftan, Atiku, who sat on the high table with Gen. Buhari, was all smiles.
An aide of his said: “What happened was that Jonathan in his desperation, visited Atiku at odd hours to seek his assistance to win the poll. There was no way the former VP can snub the nation’s leader. He only listened to him.
“But the ex-VP will not back out of his support for Buhari. His presence at this briefing is a message that the game is up for Jonathan. Has he forgotten how he disgraced Atiku at the Eagle Square to secure the presidential ticket?
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I agree with you baba,their is nothing to debate on after years of bad leadership
ReplyDeleteThose guys say he has no cert. Can their grandfather think and speak in this way?
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ReplyDeleteDear Gen Muhammadu Buhari,
I wish to express my view to you on the issue of presidential debate. Let me remind you that the debate is not for you neither is it for GEJ. It is for the people to hear from you how you will make a change. People need to know from you the alternative solutions you have to the Nigerian problems and also hear from GEJ why he thinks he deserves another term. The debate is a very good platform for the candidates to inform the electorates what they will do and how they will do them if elected. You only chant CHANGE. Excuse me, CHANGE FROM WHAT TO WHAT? I need to know. The debate would have been a good opportunity to answer my question. I met two young undergraduate students(note I consider myself to be older than them and as MSC student I am more educated than them) at the university of Lagos recently discussing politics. They both have concluded that GEJ has not performed well therefore they will vote for Buhari because they want CHANGE. I agreed with them that GEJ has not performed well to our expectations but when I asked them this simple question CHANGE TO WHAT? There response was "BROS, WE DON'T KNOW. IT MAY BE FOR GOOD OR FOR BAD. ALL WE WANT IS CHANGE". Oh,my God! What an uncertainty. Several millions of people have resolved to walk with you but they are not sure of where they are heading.Should that be the case of the biggest African country? uncertainty?I think knowledge should be Key to drive the CHANGE and not broom. It is so bad that some of the people that will vote for you have not been intellectually stimulated and prepared by you to know where they are heading. The debate would have been a good platform for you to do this. The debate is not for you and GEJ but for the whole world, for as many that seek knowledge.You need to come out, share the knowledge by answering questions and stop brandishing brooms. The world has moved beyound this level. I could remember that i woke up in Lagos at night between 1a.m and 4am to watch the presidential debate between Obama and Romney for three nights. I also went further to obtain a print out of the debate from a friend who downloaded it to hard copy material and equipped my small library with it because contributions,opinions or views will add value to the body of knowledge. I learnt alot by watching the debate between Obama and Romney. Permit me to ask you GMB, sir, have you ever contributed to the body of knowledge before? Have you written a book before? Have you written an article and have it published in the newspapers as your take on some national issues before? If you have written anybook, kindly give me the title because I will like to read it. Thank you. David. email ochudavid@yahoo.com
I believe you were born in 2011,why did you write this beautiful a
DeleteArticle on Jonathan when he refused to do a debate mumu #bringbackourgirls
There is every reason to debate with Jonathan. You have further shown Nigerians your not qualified to lead them. Even in the United States, presidential debate is a norm no matter how bad the ruling party may be. It is an opportunity to inform the electorates on the need to vote for u. As far as I'm concern, Buhari has nothing to offer Nigeria. Its an insult on the electorates not to honour a debate of this magnitude.
ReplyDeleteSai Buhari!!! I support you... unless it is a call in debate free for first 20 nigerians to call in, otherwise let them do with Jonadaft; afterall in 2011 Jonadaft refused to a debate #bringbackourgirls
ReplyDeleteThat is the man they say is not certificated, hear his beautifully woven speech and responses. Amadioha bend wuna neck
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