A former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), on Wednesday commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their courage in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
Buhari, who gave the commendation at the Eagle Square, Abuja, where he declared his intention to contest the 2015 presidential elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the Nigerian military deserved to be celebrated for their perseverance and urged Nigerians to resolve to rid the country of Boko Haram.
“I would like us to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of our Armed Forces under the new leadership and police in confronting these challenges. This is an occasion to celebrate and appreciate their efforts”.
Declaring his interest, the retired army general said: “I humbly wish to present myself before you, before all Nigerians and before God, seeking to be elected as APC’s presidential candidate”.
He said he was in the race because “nearly all are in fear of their lives or safety for themselves and their families due to insurgency by the godless movement called Boko Haram.
“By marauding murderers in towns and villages, armed robbers on the highways and kidnappers who have put whole communities to fright and sometimes to flight”.
Outlining his nine-point agenda, Buhari promised to tackle corruption which he described as “blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption. Nigeria is a country where stealing is not corruption”.
Other critical areas he promised to look into if elected are solid mineral exploitation and reviving industries to attract employment and restoring honour and integrity to public service.
The event was attended by prominent members of All Progressives Congress across the country, including Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo; Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa and Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.
Other dignitaries included ex-Bayelsa governor, Chief Timipre Silva; former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, Audi Yaro Makama; ex-Speaker Bello Masari, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Ali Ndume, Senator Magaji Abdullahi, Senator Ibrahim Musa, Senator Anthony Adeyemi, Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, Senator Sadiq Yar’Adua, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, Barr. Sharon Ikpeazu, Senator Olorunibe Mamora, Mallam Shehu Sani, Brig. General John Shagaya, Senator Kanti Bello, Senator George Akume, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and Dino Melaye.
Information Nigeria reports that the former head of state’s declaration is the fourth since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
In 2003, he contested the presidential election on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) against Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP but he was defeated.
He again came out in 2007 on the platform of ANPP but lost to another PDP candidate and fellow Katsina State indigene, Umaru Yar’Adua.
In 2010, Buhari left the ANPP for a party he helped build from the scratch – the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) – where he picked the presidential ticket of the party and vowed that the 2011 general elections would be his last shot at the presidency. He, again, lost to a PDP candidate, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
If he clinches the APC ticket to contest the 2015 presidential poll, Buhari would have contested for the highest office in the land an unprecedented record fourth time.
Sir what you rightly said is correct. Jonathan has tried with his army but the problem is that people of North East has vow to north allowing GEJ to has rest just as you said you will make the seat un governorable for him. Now if you happen to win and another region say they must make the seat hot what are you going to do. You know why your are figthing for is the Oil that is not in your region and your people never want any body to mine it. Given truoble ranging from rapping kidnapping war offenciese ETC. So tell your boys to stop first then you start talking
jonathan is the one arming and fuelling boko haram with asari to create instability in the north and set the stage for tenure elongation. he refused to arm the boys and sent them to fight. leave buhari out of it and go and appeal to your pay master to fear God and leave our polity alone