President Muhammadu Buhari has described the civil war that
played out between 1967 to 1970 as an act of self-centredness, saying he
wouldn’t want such an incident to be repeated again.
He urged political leaders to stay focused and uphold the
ultimate objective of promoting the interest of the country, saying, “We are
Nigerians, God willing we remain Nigerians, and Nigeria shall remain one.’’
“The self-centeredness that led to the loss of about a
million lives between 1967-1970 must not be allowed to repeat itself, noting
that the CPC was founded on the bedrock of patriotism and loyalty to the unity
of Nigeria,” Buhari stated while playing host to former State Chairmen of the
defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the State House, Abuja.
He noted that the passion and zeal for improving the
livelihood of Nigerians, which culminated in the creation of the political
party had not dwindled, calling for more steadfastness as Nigerians.
He spoke through his media aide Femi Adesina, saying, “Our
main objective is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are human beings. We have
our weaknesses, but I can assure you that the patriotism in us is hard-earned.
We have gone through all the troubles from the 15th of January 1966 to date.
You know what I mean by this, we have killed a million of ourselves in order to
keep this country together.
“I don’t think there can be any practical experience more
than that. We are Nigerians, God willing we remain Nigerians and Nigeria will
remain one”.
President Buhari urged all members of the defunct CPC and
political leaders to always be mindful of the larger picture by working towards
preserving the unity, peace and integrity of the nation.
The President thanked the former chairmen of the political
party, which was merged to form the governing All Progressives Congress (APC),
for always highlighting the achievements of the government, admitting that some
areas will surely get more attention.
“I am delighted to welcome the forum of State Chairmen of
the former Congress for Progressives Change to State House today. I accord
great significance to this visit as it demonstrates a determination and
commitment to identify with our administration.
“This visit recalls the solidarity with the successes that
we have recorded in critical areas of our society. The visit also affords us
the opportunity to discuss other issues of interest to the forum.
“I commend members of this forum and all members of the
legacy party-CPC, for their continued dedication to the ideals of democratic
governance that we all believed in.
“The doggedness with which we pursued our vision and goals
that culminated into the success we recorded remain like bright stars in the
history of our dear nation,’’ he added.
President Buhari said he was particularly grateful for the
“unalterable belief the members of CPC and by extension, the Nigerian
electorate, had and still have in me as demonstrated in their unalloyed support
for our electoral struggles which reflected in the results that we consistently
recorded at the polls over the years.’’
He said it was the solid credentials that the CPC possessed
that gave the party a prime place in the merger that led to the formation of
the All Progressives Congress.
The President said other political parties in the merger
include the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party
(ANPP) along with some members from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
and People’s Democratic Party.
The President said efforts had been made in appointing some
members of CPC in his government, including those in the Federal Executive
Council (FEC) like the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Minister of
Education, Minister of Water Resources, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs,
Disaster Management and Social Development.
“I listened to the remarks of your Chairman which
highlighted our modest achievements in diverse areas. We shall remain resolute
to continue to deliver on the promises we made to Nigerians, and to ensure that
we attain greater milestones in terms of economic growth, infrastructural
development, provision of security, and the war against corruption, among other
responsibilities of government,’’ he added.
Describing the President as the “Patriarch of the CPC’’, the
Chairman of the Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct CPC and former Chairman
of the party in Niger State, Umar Shuaibu, said the party had maintained all
its structures across the country, assuring President Buhari of their loyalty,
especially in the forthcoming elections.
Shuaibu commended the President for providing strong
leadership over the years, particularly in remaining balanced, fair and above
board in electoral issues.
“Before you, the opposition was arrested and maltreated, but
it is no longer so,’’ he said, “You did not deny them what they denied you when
they were in power.’’
Shuaibu thanked the President for appointing members of the
defunct CPC into the Federal Executive Council, as heads of agencies and
members of Boards.
He said the CPC had always garnered millions of votes in
elections across the country and would support the APC Presidential candidate,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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