— APC govs, senators, others back him
By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
Opposition politicians made a big splash in Abuja yesterday when former Head of State and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), officially declared his intention to contest the presidency come 2015.
Buhari, who had run for president in 2003, 2007 and 2011 on the platform of different political parties, therefore, promised to do things differently if elected in the forthcoming general elections.
Governors Rivers, Lagos, Edo, and Nasarawa states, Rotimi Ameachi, Raji Fashola, Adams Oshiomole and Umaru Al-Makura respectively were in attendance at yesterday’s grand event.
Senator George Akume, a former governor of Benue state, led the APC National Assembly members to join several thousands of Buhari loyalits to the Eagle Square venue of the declaration.
While declaring his intention to contest the APC presidential ticket, Buhari said: “I humbly wish to present myself before you, before all Nigerians and before God, seeking to be elected as APC presidential candidate.”
The 71-year-old Buhari, who said he has a plan to do things differently if elected, recalled that “when PDP came to power in 1999 Nigeria was generating about 4,000 M/W of electricity. After 15 years and $20 billion spent we are generating between 3,000 – 4,000 M/W. No failure is more glaring than this.”
He assured that his government would prioritise the protection of lives and property, pursuing economic policies for shared prosperity and immediate attention on youth employment, giving quality education for development, modernity and social mobility, agricultural productivity for taking millions out of poverty and ensuring food security.
He also said he would focus on “reviving industry to generate employment and “make things”, instead of Nigerians just to remain hawkers of other peoples’ goods.
Other pledges made by Buhari included: “developing solid minerals exploitation which will substantially attract employment and revenue for government; restoring honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best; tackling corruption, which has become blatant and widespread.”
According to him, “The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption. Nigeria is a country where stealing is not corruption, respecting the constitutional separation of powers between the executive, legislatures and judiciary and respecting the rights of citizens.”
Senator Olorunmbe Mamora, who spoke on behalf of the elders of the party, said there is a wind of change blowing and nobody can stop it.
“Come 2015, you will have APC government installed in Abuja,” he vowed. “The time has come and we must all work for the change.”
Senator Akume, who spoke on behalf of the party’s National Assembly members, argued that age is not a barrier to Buhari’s ambition.
He said: “What is a barrier is inexperience. APC is a great party richly endowed. We members of NASS we are happy with the campaigns of our aspirants. Buhari is the only General and former Head of State without an oil well.”
Governor Amaechi, who spoke on behalf of the APC governors, said: “The governors of APC are determined to work together to deliver APC, and whoever emerges as flagbearer, we will all work for him.
“If PDP has somebody that is anti-corruption like Buhari, let them bring the person; even half a person.
“Even the fight against Ebola, Rivers state government spent N1.106 billion to fight Ebola. Federal government brought only N200 million last week. If we had waited for federal government money, we would have all died by now.
“Rivers state is not on their hand; Lagos is not; Kano is not. They are planning to use security to intimidate us, but we must fight with our lives.
“One thing is that this party believes in anti-corruption. If we save what they steal, we shall have light all over Nigeria.”
