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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Youths slam Sheikh Gumi over Buhari

    Youths slam Sheikh Gumi over Buhari

    A group, the Buhari Youth Congress for Change (BYCC), has frowned at an open letter to former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari by a Kaduna Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.

    In the letter, Sheikh Gumi urged Gen. Buhari to step down his 2015 presidential ambition.

    BYCC urged the Islamic scholar to stop interfering in politics and focus on preaching peace and unity.

    Speaking through its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Katagun, the group urged Nigerians to disregard the sheikh’s letter.

    It said: “Dr. Gumi made a lot of mistakes with such statement because he is a well-respected Islamic scholar. We expect him to have called on the general personally if he wants to advise him and not publicly like he did.

    “Part of the letter also read that the general is too old to rule the nation, forgetting that people from age 60 make good leaders. Dr. Gumi also forgot that Gen. Buhari remains the incorruptible leader the nation has ever had.

    “We believe there is something secret the scholar is keeping away from the public about Gen. Buhari because this is certainly not the first time he is telling the general to step down. He did the same during the 2007 race between the general and the late President Musa Yar’Adua.

    “We believe there is no more competent candidate among the presidential aspirants. We urge Nigerians to shun the call because it is capable of causing chaos in the nation.”

  • Can Buhari change Nigeria?

    SIR: One of the presidential aspirants under APC is the General of the Masses, Muhammadu Buhari also known as GMB. But my worry is this; can the near-saint man (as being projected) change Nigeria? Unlike some of his followers who are wont to say yes he can, I will beg to differ and say that he can best put in place the mechanism that will change Nigeria.  We as a nation didn’t get here overnight and hence should not expect to get out of the mess overnight, but we can get out of it provided we have someone who is leading us. GMB need not perform any miracle but he can show us the way to follow.

    Some critics will say, we are tired of soldiers; we don’t want to be ruled by ex-Generals again…but come to think of it, Generals with the help of some civilians brought us here, so I guess it is right for a General to save us from them, to lead us out.

    Some would want to know why after past failed attempts, he has not given up. To that I will say one does not give up on something one believes in without a fight. Times without number, we are faced with challenges but that does not deter us from keeping at it.  Like the Yoruba folklore, if you see an elderly man running helter-skelter in the forest, if he is not after something, something is definitely after him.

    I have also heard that he should have anointed a young blood and rally support behind him. Maybe; but the GMB I read about wouldn’t want to be among many other things, a godfather.

    And again, how many of our young men are ready to live his kind of life? Instead of anointing anyone, the best thing is for him to help rid the system of the pythons and cobras, to equip the youth with antidote of the pythons’ venom, after which he can sit back and watch, smile and relax and rest in peace.

    So, if  we believe that in a four-year term or eight years of two terms, GMB can really not do any magic, why are we expecting magic from President Jonathan; why are we not giving him benefit of the doubt?

    Truth is, if the head is bad, the tail cannot be good. The corrupt nature of a leader will surely affect his followers. President Jonathan has been given series of benefit of the doubts and he betrayed them all. His true nature is evident by those who surround him.

    Buhari is however different; here is a man who even Generals and ex-Generals are scared of. Here is a man who has zero tolerance for corruption. He is not a magician hence magic is not expected of him to transform Nigeria.  He will do total overhauling of the system and put our destiny in our hands because a man cannot change a nation without the consent of the people.

    Who can ever think that Lagosians with their aggressive nature can queue for public transport? Today, we have a governor who says and believes it can be done hence the emergence of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT). Fashola is not a magician; he only knew what to be done and when to do it.

    Put the necessary mechanism in place, set the system aright and the system will not only set the people right, it will guide and change the people. That is the mission of General Muhammed Buhari and that is what Nigerians should expect of him.

    • Olusola Farouq,

    Warri, Delta State.

  • 2015: Jonathan’s stance deepens crises in PDP

    2015: Jonathan’s stance deepens crises in PDP

    2015 succession crises get worse

    A Presidential intervention to stem the crises of succession in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states has failed to do the magic.

    President Goodluck Jonathan at a meeting at the Villa in Abuja warned the governors elected on the party’s platform against fielding unpopular candidates.

    He said such a development could affect the party’s fortune in 2015 as PDP may lose in some states.

    But, the governors left the meeting, insisting on having a say on who their successors should be.

    The President and the governors also agreed to wait till former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerges the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before coming up with “appropriate response” to issues the aspirant raised last week.

    Gen. Buhari lashed the ruling party for “destroying the economy and failing to unite and secure the country”.

    The President, the governors and PDP leadership are to meet soon on how to tackle the challenges associated with the governors aspiring to be senators.

    According to a source, who spoke in confidence, although the President said there was nothing  bad in the governors having interest in their successors, they should put the party’s interest and survival above personal issues.

    The source quoted the President as being very blunt, telling the governors that since most of them are completing their two terms in office, he would be the one to work with their successors.

    “Jonathan said: ‘I cannot take chances; the PDP cannot take chances. We are interested in those who will be governors in 2015. You should not field unpopular candidates or else the party will lose.’

    “The President said if the PDP were circumspect in 2011, the ruling party would not have experienced the defection of five governors to the opposition party.”

    The source quoted Jonathan as saying: ‘The five governors embarrassed me because I had no say on how they emerged in 2011.’

    “At a point, the President recalled how the five governors walked out on him during the National Convention in Abuja which led to the crisis in the PDP. He said the party does not want to produce such rebellious governors in 2015.

    “He said you can never rule out the capacity of a sitting governor.”

    Another source said the President spoke on the need to be on guard to check the opposition from benefiting from any nomination crisis in PDP.

    The second source said: “The President said the party must field candidates who can win elections. He said: ‘I want results; the party wants numbers to deny APC of winning 25 per cent of the votes anywhere with the right candidates.’

    The meeting was said to have considered the consequences of the declaration of former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to vie for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A governor, who tried to underplay the fears of PDP on Gen. Buhari, said: “We looked at Buhari’s declaration jokingly because he has not emerged as a candidate.

    “The outcome of APC primaries will determine the appropriate response or strategy to Buhari’s candidature.”

    The President, the governors andthe PDP will still “meet on the senatorial aspirations of the governors at another session”.

    But after the meeting Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said: “We discussed our party and the primaries that will soon come. We looked at how to fortify our party to avoid rancour or in fighting to enable us do very well both in the primaries and general elections in 2015.”

    Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema said the meeting evaluated strategies for a successful conduct of the party’s forthcoming primaries.

    Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari spoke on the situation in his state.

    He said: “The political situation in Adamawa is very stable, I can assure you. The people are very happy. You know, the common man appreciates when justice is done at all times. They are very happy; you can do your independent verification.”

    “All the reported noise in some quarters that heavens will fall because of my swearing in, nothing like that has happened. I thank the people of Adamawa for their massive support and we promise to keep faith with them,’’ he said

    Governors at the meeting were Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).

    Others are Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), and Umar Garba (Acting Governor of Taraba), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and the deputy governors of Kogi and Nasarawa states.

    Many governors are faced with stiff opposition in their states over their choice of successors.

    In Akwa ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio is believed to be backing former Secretary to the State Government  Udom Emmanuel but another former SSG, Umana Okon Umana, and others are opposed to him.

    Delta State Governor Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is believed to be supporting Anthony Obuh. Contenders like Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, House of Representatives member Ndudi Elumelu, Chief Obaisi Omo-Agege and former minister Godsday Orubebe won’t agree.

    The plot by some leaders of the PDP in Rivers State to put forward former Minister of State Nyesom Wike is creating ripples in the party.

    In Ebonyi, Governor Martin Elechi is pushing for former Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu, but some aspirants are unhappy.

    Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has pitched his tent with House of Representatives member Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi but Senator Ayogo Eze is kicking.

  • Adopt Buhari as presidential candidate – Christian group urges APC

    Adopt Buhari as presidential candidate – Christian group urges APC

    EACH forth Nigeria, a Christian Non-Governmental Organisation, has thrown its weight behind the candidacy of former Head of State and presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari(Rtd.).

    It asked the leadership of the party to adopt him as its candidate for the 2015 presidential election.

    National Chairman of the organisation, Rev. Yunana Oganto, said in a statement that events at the declaration of intention by Buhari at the Eagle Square were clear indications of his acceptability across the country.

    He said: “It must be emphatically stated that the APC has no option in deciding who the presidential candidate should be, as the issue is finally being settled by the Nigerian masses.”

    He stated that the All Progressive Congress (APC) would need to collectively take a decisive and pragmatic decision by adopting the proposal by the Nigerian masses, as represented in the General Muhammadu Buhari’s candidacy.

  • Another four years of PDP will be disastrous –Buhari

    Another four years of PDP will be disastrous –Buhari

    •As ACF, NEF harp on APC’s unity ahead of 2015

    Former Head of State and Presidential Aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari has said that, if Nigerians allow the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rule the country for another four years after 2015, it (PDP) would send the country down the drain.

    ýHe said Nigerians were tired of incompetent leadership of the PDP, urging the electorate to be at alert in all ramification to ensure that there is free, fair and credible elections that will usher in credible leaders at all levels of governance.

    The former Head of State said this in Kaduna yesterday while delivering remarks on behalf of himself and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was also present at a stakeholders meeting of the northern APC.

    According to Buhari, 2015 is another year of extreme concern to Nigerians, which leaders of the opposition APC must not allow their members to be disenfranchised prior to and during the elections.

    While stressing that APC was in better position to wrestle power from the ruling party, General Buhari stressed the need for vigilance among party members against all manipulation to rig the poll in favour of the ruling party.

    In his words, “I contested the Presidential election three times in this country and failed and ended up in Supreme Court and lost the case.

    “The first time, the Judges that, agreed that there was no election were from the South and they are all Christians. But, the second time, the Judges that declared that PDP has won despite the irregularities are Fulani from Adamawa and Taraba and a Nupe man. That was when I understood that, it is not about religion and ethnicity, but about Naira and Dollars,” he said.

    He observed that the amount of soldiers, police, SSS deployed to Ekiti State during the election, if same were deployed to the troubled Northeast they would have secured the release of the over 200 abducted girls.

    Towards this end, Buhari said “Nigeria is tired of incompetent leadership. So we must be ready to make sacrifices that will salvage the country, let us not allow our people to be disenfranchised during the elections, we must be united to ensure a free, fair and credible elections in 2015.”

    He also emphasised the need for the party to be united and make a difference in ýthe general elections.

    Meanwhile, the northern socio-cultural group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in a goodwill message delivered by Solomon Dalung on behalf of the Chairman Ibrahim Coomassie urged northerners not to allow themselves to be divided by the artificial differences created by politicians to divide the north.

    He urged politicians from the northern extraction to put the interest of the north first and above their personal interest, saying ACF desire is for a united north that can give credible leadership in this country.

    “We want politicians to search their hearts and tell in whose interest they are aspiring, we must put the interest of the suffering masses above our personal interest” he said.

    In the same vein, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed who spoke for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) said the north has paid ýhuge price for the failure of democracy in Nigeria.

    He therefore said 2015 should be seen as a turning point for the people of the north.

    “We look forward to any party that will deliver good governance, let us find the best person to lead the northý and Nigeria in 2015.

    “Do not allow your personal interestý to override general interest, Nigeria is too important to be sacrificed on the platform of personal interest.”

    The NEF also called on the APC stakeholders to engage in discussions that will see to it that all the Northern Presidential aspirants are engaged in dialogue aimed at reaching a consensus with the least friction.

    Meanwhile, NEF expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement said to have been reached between the Boko Haram and the Federal Government is real and not a political gimmick meant for political gains.

    The meeting had in attendance the major Presidential Aspirants under the party, General Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

    Governors of Borno. Kashim Shettima, Zamfara Abdulaziz Yari, and that of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam were also in attendance.

    Legislators and national leaders of the APC from the northern extraction were also present at the meeting.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu who is the convener of the meeting said, it was important for the party to learn from the lessons of history and ensure that it gets stronger, more focused and committed to democratic ideals.

    As at the time of filing the report, the stakeholders were still holding their discussions under close doors. While communique is expected to be issued at the end of the meeting.

  • Buhari: APC will solve Nigeria’s problems

    Buhari: APC will solve Nigeria’s problems

    •Aspirant to declare presidential bid today

    •Meets APC governors for support

    Former Head of State and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has said the party will solve the nation’s problems when it wins the presidential election next year.

    The former Head of State will today declare his intension to contest for the party’s ticket in the 2015 election.

    Buhari addressed a crowd of party members yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on his presidential plan.

    The huge crowd thronged the Government House to welcome him to the state, when he met with Governor Chibuike Amaechi and party leaders for their votes in the party’s primaries next month.

    The General has been on the tour of APC states to solicit their supports to clinch the party’s ticket.

    Gen. Buhari said: “I was in Imo State last Saturday; then Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Ilorin before going back to Abuja. Now, I am in Rivers State.

    “The APC is in its strategic part of our development as a party. We are about to go to the primary elections, where all those who are interested in the elective offices, from counsellor to the Presidency, will submit themselves during the primaries. I happen to be one of those who are interested to be given the ticket by our great party.

    “I intend to make that declaration tomorrow (today), in Abuja, God willing. That is why I have been going round to see the governors and the leaders of our great party across the country, to ask for understanding and support.”

    The former Head of State said the reasons for the merger of three major opposition parties to form the APC were to end the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) misrule and impunity.

    He said APC is committed to the nation’s transformation by creating jobs for youths and secure their feature.

    Gen. Buhari promised to crush insurgency and kidnapping in the Northeast and the Niger Delta when he takes over power from the PDP next year.

    The former Head of State solicited the support of the people to make the change a reality.

    He hailed Amaechi for his leadership style, adding that his massive transformation projects had changed the state.

    Gen. Buhari noted that Amaechi had written his name in the annals of history of Nigeria.

    He said: “We have come a long way from the All Peoples Party (APP), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and now APC. The APC is a merger of relevant opposition parties that have representations in the Houses of Assembly and Representatives who came together to take power from the PDP.

    “We have the intension to stabilise the system because we have no other country but Nigeria. So, the APC is decently in a hurry to secure and manage the country efficiently. These are the two fundamental things that must be done urgently for this nation because without security nothing works.

    “Look at the killings and maiming in the Northeast and kidnappings here in the Southsouth, I want Nigeria delivered and, God willing, APC will ensure that Nigerians can go to bed with both eyes closed and wake up and go out confidently to pursue their legitimate businesses.

    “We will make sure we set up industries and develop agriculture. We will help solid minerals to make sure most youths here have good jobs so that whether you finished your school or not, the government will get a job for you, so that you can live a respectable life.

    “I will like to assure you that APC will come together to salvage this country from mis-governance and impunity. We want your understanding and cooperation. Every Nigerian is very important to us, wherever he or she is. We are concerned about his personal and job security. I assure you that we will do our best.

    “I most sincerely congratulate your governor. Port Harcourt is one of the places I served when I was in uniform. When we drove round, I saw the quality infrastructure he put on ground. He has secured a place in history for himself that no matter what happened, from now till the end of time, people will know and say what Amaechi has done for Rivers State and Nigeria.

    “I hope to come back in a couple of months to see you in a larger place and audience to unravel the APC manifesto for the next year’s election.”

     

  • Buhari: Bad leadership responsible for Nigeria’s insecurity

    Buhari: Bad leadership responsible for Nigeria’s insecurity

    •More PDP governors to join APC, says Kwankwaso

    • ‘We’ve on  primaries’

    Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, has said his quest to govern Nigeria is borne out of the desire for a secured and efficiently managed nation.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant addressed reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, after consulting with Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

    Gen. Buhari said: “I contested three times and I lost three times. I ended up in Supreme Court three times. We thank God because the constitution does not limit how many times you can contest. Whichever stage, once you are 18 and above, they did not put age limit as well.

    “I ruled this country before under a different system. From 1999 till now, I am sure you know what has been happening. I believe that what Nigeria needs now is to be secured and efficiently managed. This is the APC stand. I will like to use this opportunity through my party, through the system to seek a secured and efficiently managed Nigeria as the country is not being well managed.”

    On APC’s primaries, he said: “This is up to the party and the people. We want a fair playing field for everybody. Let Nigerians be given the impression and let them believe that they matter, that all the efforts to salvage them are for them and for the country. But if there is a consensus agreement and it is not forced on the people, all well and good.

    “It will save time and resources. But if people insist on making sure that the people they want to lead should present themselves and let the people decide, it is all well and good. The system allows it.”

    Gen. Buhari said he read in the papers the withdrawal of Senator Bukola Saraki from the presidential race.

    He said: “I read it in the papers and I went to see him. I didn’t beg him to leave it for me. But it is his decision. He has been a governor here in this state twice. He knows the politics of the country. He is known throughout the country. His father worked extremely hard and virtually established a dynasty voluntarily supported by the people of this state.”

    Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Sunday, said two of the G7 governors, who are still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would soon join APC.

    He added that more governors in the ruling party would also defect to the APC

    The governor was in Kwara State on consultations for the presidential ticket of the APC in next year’s election.

    In a statement, Kwankwaso said APC members are practical people with extensive grassroots reach.

    The governor said they would rejuvenate the national economy, tackle corruption and ensure national growth.

    He said: “Our economy can never be good in a situation of crises. Our economy can never be good in the face of corruption. Those who are trying to convince us that the economy is good don’t know what they are saying. Yes, their economy is good but the masses’ economy is bad. That is the situation today. That is what the APC wants to correct.”

    On APC consensus candidate for the presidential election, Kwankwaso noted that in line with the party’s constitution, it would explore the possibility of a consensus candidate within the ambit of democratic culture.

    Ahmed said the choice of the APC presidential candidate for the 2015 elections would not only be devoid of acrimony but would strengthen the fortunes of the party.

    The governor said Nigeria had bad leadership, despite its abundant human and natural resources endowment.

    But he was optimistic that an APC administration at the federal level would ensure the effective leadership Nigeria deserves.

    “The APC is the fastest-growing party in Nigeria and the only truly national party, which came into being as a result of the congruence of ideas on how to ensure that Nigeria moves again along the side of improving and growing nations,” Ahmed added.

    Former Vice-President and APC presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said yesterday he was not prepared for a consensus option in choosing the party’s candidate for the 2015 elections.

    Atiku addressed reporters in Abuja on a planned policy review summit to be held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The APC chieftain said the party’s leadership decided to go for the primaries.

    He said: “We have met as a caucus, as the Board of Trustees (BoT), as the National Executive Council (NEC). But we have decided to go the primaries.”

     

     

  • Why Buhari should support Kwankwaso

    Why Buhari should support Kwankwaso

    General Muhammadu Buhari is an accomplished statesman, an officer and a gentleman, a patriotic citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), a committed nationalist, a man of honour and integrity, a selfless and visionary leader, a former Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, a former Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), a former governor North Eastern State (Borno, Yobe, Taraba Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi state) and former Minister of Petroleum Resources.

    Buhari was also the General Officer Commanding 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army Jos and veteran of the Nigeria Civil War where he had held many frontline positions in the fight to keep Nigeria one. A task which had to be done.

    General Muhammad Buhari had served Nigeria faithfully, loyally, honestly, creditably and has continued to do so at a great personal cost to his life. One can go on and to either state the achievements or virtues of this septuagenarian.

    At 73, he has accumulated all the requisite qualification and experience to continue to serve his beloved country Nigeria at the highest level. Most recently, he offered to serve again in 2003, 2007 and 2011 but was not opportune to do so. Should he offer himself again 2015? That is, however, the question demanding rational answer.

    The challenge of the 21st century Nigeria and the world will require a relatively more energetic, youthful leader who is loyal, faithful, honest and equally courageous and visionary to carry the baton from the General for national leadership in 2015 election under the platform of APC.

    Developed countries, especially USA and Britain, with strong historical, political, social and economic ties with Nigeria have turned around to elect their leaders amongst the younger generation. Take for instance, Tony Blair and David Cameron in the United Kingdom and George Bush Jr. and Barack Obama in the United States, one would easily sample the crop of leaders in vogue in this century. Even the current US Secretary of State, John Kerry and Senator McCain, both veterans of the Vietnam War, were politely asked to step aside by the electorate.

    It therefore goes without saying that the presidency of Nigeria in this time and age should be a person who belongs to the generation of the leaders of the two great nations mentioned earlier. In a digital age dominated by Google, Apple, Microsoft and driven by information technology and the social media, Nigeria will need a contemporary of the leaders of the two nations to lead.

    General Muhammadu Buhari will serve his beloved country better if he chooses to be an influencing factor in policy formulation; and become a fountain of knowledge and wisdom for the leadership; to be the power behind the throne and heart-beat of the administration.

    In the circumstances, a time tested leader Engineer, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who has been grilled through the mill of Nigerian politics easily comes to mind as a successor to the General. He was a highly successful student leader in the late 70’s and has equally demonstrated such purposeful leadership quality in the National Assembly of the botched 3rd Republic as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was a charismatic leader and an achiever on the governorship seat of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and a disciplined and pragmatic Minister of Defense in 2003 – 2007. As a loyal and patriotic Nigerian, he was appointed Nigeria’s Special Envoy to Dafur during the Sudanese crises of internal revolt. He was also appointed to the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission because of his fairness and equity in the face of formidable challenges facing the Niger Delta region.

    Most importantly, as the governor of Kano State from 2011 to date, he has recorded a huge success and made giant strides in giving Kano State excellent leadership which prepared it for the challenges of the 21st century in education, infrastructural development, youth and women empowerment. He placed Kano on the path of becoming knowledge-driven society in sciences and information technology. He has equally uplifted the status of Kano as one of the most attractive investment destination for both foreign and local investors in Nigeria. His approach in confronting security challenges was superb and has been able to minimize the impact of the menace of Boko Haram to the barest minimum. Similarly he was prudent in the management of the state finances through adherence to budgetary discipline and probity.

    Kano State under the credible and purposeful leadership of Kwankwaso has confronted the long standing social problem that has bedeviled the state for many years. The state has sponsored the marriage of thousands of couples who would have remain unmarried thus curtailing the spread of HIV/AIDS. He has also curtailed the sale of hard drugs in Kano and established an institution for the rehabilitation of the victims of drug abuse. His government has also enacted a law prohibiting street begging and child labour in line with United Nation charter and Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

    To all intents and purposes, General Muhammad Buhari will find in Kwankwaso a true man of honour, credibility and integrity worthy of his support and APC has found a committed Nigerian who symbolizes its aspiration in its quest to giving Nigeria the leadership it deserves at this time and age to be its flag bearer at 2015 presidential election.

    In comparison to other presidential candidates that might emerge, Kwankwaso stands a better chance of denying the PDP another chance of hoisting its flag on the Presidential Villa. His proven leadership credentials and the impeccable track record of honesty, hardwork, tenacity, commitment and conviction to a cause make him the much awaited leader Nigeria deserves.

     

    • Ringim can be reached via email: mahmudshuaibu@yahoo.com

  • South-south group endorses Buhari for presidency

    South-south group endorses Buhari for presidency

    A group known as South-South/South-East Team GMB has endorsed the former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) for the next year’s presidential election.

    Members of the group drawn from the two regions who gave the endorsement in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, after a meeting at the weekend, said Buhari, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a committed Nigerian who has all it takes to solve the problems of corruption and insecurity that have bedeviled the country for the past 15 years.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, the Coordinator of the South-South/South-East, Mr. ChappJumbo Jonathan while justifying Buhari’s endorsement, said Buhari has proved his worth and mettle in his previous public service, a quality which even his political foes have admitted.

    The group also said that they do not want to be part of a generation that does not refer to history or be a people that “believe not in a better future and will not exhibit personal and moral responsibility to make it so.”

    This, Jonathan explained is because the 2015 election will be about credible and responsible change in the national leadership of our country, lamenting that for a long time, “negligible but powerful individuals had opposed change.”

    While expressing dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in Nigeria currently, Jonathan also pointed out that Nigerians need a president with ideas and not the one that will inundate them with slogans, jingles and adverts.

  • 2015: I’m not desperate, says Buhari

    2015: I’m not desperate, says Buhari

    Former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari spoke yesterday on the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket.

    Gen. Buhari, 71, who was Head of State from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985, told  members of the Buhari Support Group (BSG)  in Abuja that though he was confident of getting the ticket, he was not desperate for it.

    He is expected to formalise his plan to run next week.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar last week became the first aspirant for the APC ticket to declare his interest in the race.

    The APC presidential primary is fixed for December 2.

    Gen. Buhari, who has run for president thrice, urged his supporters not to be rude to the party’s leaders or other aspirants.

    He was accompanied to yesterday’s event by former Kaduna State Military Administrator Col. Hamid Ibrahim Ali, former Minister of Internal Affairs Brig.-General John Shagaya and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Alhaji Umaru Dembo.

    He said: “With support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the republic on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement soon and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice.

    “However, I would like to point out to you that to be more meaningful, your support must extend beyond my person and always be available to the party and all those the party puts forward because it is the party that is the platform.

    “You must at all times remember that the APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the president. It is the primaries that will determine who eventually represents the party and in which capacity.

    “If I get the party’s nomination, I expect you to redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the presidency. But, in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I will expect you, as good party men, to extend to him your support. We are a united party and united we shall remain because our strength lies in our unity.

    “For this and for other reasons, I must warn all my supporters, volunteers and other well wishers within  the party and even out of it not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf.

    “My supporters must not engage in any kind of behavior or conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division within the ranks of the party. Whoever does that should know that he or she is working for the enemy.

    The former leader added: “Today, we are in the 15th year of purposeless leadership by the Peoples Democratic  Party (PDP) and all we have seen is unprecedented deterioration in the security and law and order situation, astronomical rise and intensity of corruption and in the failure of governance.

    “And as we reach this last lap of the journey, I would like to request that we concentrate all our efforts and energy towards realising  and achieving change in this country.

    “The only way to meaningful change in this country is to vote the PDP out of power to which it was never legitimately elected anyway. The task before us today is wide ranging and very great.

    “The first and most important is to take away power from those who have been misusing it.  Indeed, except for the call of patriotism, public spiritedness and an abiding love for the people of this country, nothing will today make any honest, honourable and sane politician want to be saddled with Nigeria with an economy in trouble, with its perilous security situation, with its extensive and almost unmanageable corruption and with its pervasive lawlessness. And a government (is there really a government?) that is not working.

    “We have made all the necessary preparation to take power from the inept ruling party. For the first time, the credible opposition in Nigeria has come together in order to give the PDP a good run for its money.

    Gen. Buhari praised members of the BSG for standing. “We don’t have anything to offer you by way of payback for all your massive and unprecedented support, except our commitment to be even with you at all times and to preserve, protect and discharge the trust you will put in our hands.”

    Also yesterday, APC members in the Kaduna State House of Assembly endorsed Gen. Buhari.

    Minority Leader Muhammad Ali, who led other APC members to address a news conference, said Gen. Buhari remained the only candidate that could salvage of Nigeria.

    Ali said the APC members resolved to endorse Gen. Buhari because he is an incorruptible leader.

    “Never in the history of this nation have we come close to a failed state as it is being experienced, owing to the ineptitude of those charged with the responsibility of leading this great nation.

    “When General Muhammadu Buhari was the Military Head of State, Nigeria blossomed as a nation and discipline was restored and Nigeria was respected worldwide.

    “Many are afraid of Gen. Buhari because they are beholden to corruption and greed,” the lawmaker said.