Buhari: Why I Accepted Centenary Award

CENTENARY-GEJ-BUHARIFormer military Head of State and one of the leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) on Saturday adduced reasons for his acceptance of the centenary award.

The former military ruler, who many widely believed would turn down the award, due to his perceived opposition to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led Federal Government, said he received the award from President Goodluck Jonathan at Nigeria’s centenary anniversary because of its significance.

Buhari said this in an online interview with Sahara TV.

He was honored alongside past Heads of State and Presidents under the category of “outstanding promoters of unity, patriotism and national development”, at an elaborate and colorful ceremony, which held last Friday inside the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari, however, refused to state whether or not a past leader should receive such an award if there had been disclosures of his wrongdoing while in office, when asked if a former military dictator, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, whose inclusion in the list raised not a few eyebrows, deserved such award.

He described the issuance of the centenary awards as “the beauty of the system” inside Nigeria, adding that bestowing leaders with awards should “not be a difficult thing”, if past leaders declare their assets, before and afterwards.

He took a swipe at the Jonathan administration saying it was not doing enough in the fight against corruption in the country.

He said if there is sincerity, fighting corruption is not a difficult thing.

He said, “If Nigeria is serious about finding which of its leaders at which level is corrupt or not, it’s not a difficult thing.

“This PDP government with President Jonathan has a problem of fishing out corrupt officials”.

On why members of the elite society are perceived to be against his ambition to become Nigeria’s president in a democratic setting after his last time out as military ruler in the early 80’s, Buhari said: “they know (the reason) why”. According to him, order and accountability in public office are some of the things he desires to see happen, adding that government does need economic partners, who share his view of de-riding corruption in government.

The three-time presidential candidate declined to state whether he would contest the presidency or not in 2015, although, he confirmed that his supporters within the APC are insisting that he should join the race.

Should he bow to pressure and run, it will cast doubts on his integrity – a virtue the Daura-born general cherishes so much – after he publicly declared that the 2011 presidential elections would be the last time he would ever vie for the highest office in the land.

On the threat by Boko Haram to eliminate him, Buhari said he could not care less as the government has provided him with adequate security.

“I am not bothered by them (targeting me)”said the general because the “government has given me adequate protection”.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Seriously, Jonathan Govt is more corrupt than Abacha Govt., Security is Zero, a serving president that could not Visit Borno to see damages done by Boko Haram, bt cld Visit Kwara on political raaly nd Niger State on Presidential Ralll, a president that use his power on police nd other security agent to stop other political partys of staging any form of Rally, is that a President or Terrorist.let APC feed Buhari come 2015 nd see how pple will vote.

  2. @Dare we know plans so that you people can eliminate him! you people wiLl not succede even if He has to visit borno it is certainly not when you people are expecting him! His security advisers will let him know as soon as the time is ripe! On the issue of curruption, this is a nation not a home you as a nigerian what step have you taking to stop the promotion of curruption whithin your home and enviroment? Can you sincerely state that you have not engage yourself in currupt act within the last six month? Fight against curruption begins with you and I because we make up the government in Democracy and not we expecting the president knowing you and I are practicing secretely, finally don’t be sentiment in issues of this nature and allow your conscience to lead you in everything!