Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Buhari: We Will Retire Jonathan From Politics
Published on Tuesday, 13 January 2015 05:02
Nigerian Daily Trust
Written by Nuruddeen M. Abdallah & Balarabe Alkassim

The presidential candidate of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to send President Goodluck Jonathan to early retirement in the February 14 election.

General Muhammadu Buhari said the opposition is determined to pursue its campaigns vigorously to convince Nigerians to vote for its candidate and drive out the ruling PDP out of government.
Buhari spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee in Abuja yesterday.

He called on party members never to take the law into their hands, no matter the level of provocation by the supporters or agents of the ruling party.

He however called on them to be vigilant as ever during and after the elections in order not to be taken unawares by the activities of people who are always determined to rob them of their choice during elections.

“We undertake to end the impunity of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, a party that has proved clueless in every material particular. It has failed to address any of the important concerns of the people of this country.

“It has failed to deal squarely with the great security challenge that has faced this nation within these last five years. And it has remained touchy and impervious to all constructive criticism, and without concern for human life and for the suffering going on in the land.

“As we campaigned, Boko Haram attacked Baga town in Borno State, reportedly killing 2,000 people; but to this clueless government, this toll is just a number, a statistic that adds up to the litany that has gone before it.

“And worst of all, this PDP government has split the country along all known fault lines. It is time to send them into deserved retirement; which, in the normal cause of events, it will have done nothing to deserve,” he said.

He urged supporters to be patient, assuring them that “the leadership of the opposition is not unmindful of the sad and frustrating situation, and has put in place a mechanism that will permanently put an end to rigging in the country.”

Buhari said: “In particular, you must learn to be vigilant especially just before, during and immediately after elections, whether these are rigged or not, so that sponsored hoodlums are not made to commit illegalities that are in the end blamed on you.

“Not only must you not take the law into your hands, no matter the level of provocation, you must be able to expose those planning to do so before they act.

“I know it is all too painful for you to see votes you cast being disregarded and votes illegally thumb printed being counted to rig out the choice that you have legitimately and conclusively made.

“And it is even more painful when you know that the road to remedy has been firmly shut in your face; for, you are always called on to accept a judgment whose justice you cannot see, whose logic is flawed and whose facts speak against itself.”

Buhari  promised the nation that his government would “secure it against all threats, manage its resources efficiently  with demonstrable transparency, and  fix  its problems”. He stressed that the APC government, would not allow any Nigerian to go to bed hungry, or live with the government or with the fear of attacks by insurgents. According to the APC presidential candidate, his government would deliver on every campaign promise to the best of its ability.

In his remarks, the presidential running mate to retired General Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said the APC would change Nigeria positively.

“The wind of change is blowing in our nation. No one has ever been able to stop the wind. No one can stop the wind. Come February 14th 2015, that wind will blow in a government in Nigeria, that is the General Muhammadu Buhari and the APC government.

“And the same wind will bow out the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP.T he wind of change will blow in prosperity and security for this country at last. All of these we desire and we believe that the Almighty God will do it, and we pray and all of us will be alive to witness it,” he said.

No comments: