”Although our primary objective will be focused on issues that affect the wellbeing and welfare of our people, we will not be unmindful of the continuing agitations on the need to strengthen our federal structure and unity and not only in the Niger Delta” , that was the thrust of the pledge of General Muhammadu Buhari for the number one seat in the land under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja yesterday.
General Muhammadu Buhari also told his teeming supporters that if voted into power his administration would be disposed to ensuring an enabling law that would be passed by the National Assembly in order to restructure the country and restore it to a proper federation.
According to him, “Among the ideas which we believe would require consideration is a viable federating units which are basically internally homogenous and are consequently equitable with a realistic sharing formula.”
The ANPP presidential candidate in the 2003 elections also stressed that his administration would also make efforts towards curtailing religious, sectarian and ethnic conflicts by giving strength and funding to the community, traditional and other organisations as well as permanent standing committees which would be set up to resolve or mediate in recurring disputes.
General Buhari who took a swipe at the privatisation exercise of the present administration, described the process as “a strip and sell of national assests to cronies at knocked down prices," adding that “its implementations bears all the hallmarks of this administration’s corruption.”
He expressed dissatisfaction that “today, Nigeria is rated one of the most corrupt countries in the world in spite of the much touted fight against corruption, and the standard of living of the ordinary citizen has become lower than at any time in recent memory.
”Poor leadership at various levels has completely squandered the enormous goodwill and the tremendous resources available to the country. Government today is at its lowest level of credibility.”
Speaking further the former Head of State warned that the only way for Nigeria to achieve success and enjoy the fruits of a modern democratic state, would be by electing a responsible leadership that would pilot it transparently and effectively, the Nigerian system.
His words, “achieving this goal will no doubt be difficult, but nothing worthwhile is easy. The political class must come together irrespective of party, to pursue a common purpose of rescuing Nigeria from its decline and disintegration.”
He continued, “we intend to attack the problem of rampart poverty by reviving agriculture, industries, rails, road and waterways transportation, institute and introduce a nationwide micro credict system, eliminate poverty, widen employment opportunities and enable self-employers to practise their trades on however small scale. We intend to make a genuine effort to tackle the problems of Niger-Delta in a realistic fashion” . In his opening address, chairman of the occasion, Dr Tunji Braithwaite stressed the need for a revolutionary politics, which according to him, began yesterday.
According Dr. Braithwaite, “the PDP is talking about reforms, we are talking about revolution of decadents and the only person who can do that is General Muhammadu Buhari.”
He continued, “out of the entire aspirants in today’s politics, General Buhari is the only person that went near to our idea of building a sound and transparent nation.”
He pointed out that without any revolution, the country would land itself into serious disaster before the 2007 elections.
Dignitaries at the occasion include, Chief Charles Nwodo, National chairman PAC, senator Ibikunle Amusu, Buba Galadima, George Moghalue, Alhaji Bello Isa Bayero, senator Abu Ibrahim, Hon. Lawal Garba, Hon. Haruna Yarima, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, deputy governor of Jigawa state, Hassan Hadejia, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), prince Tony Momoh as well as the director general of the Buhari Organisation (TBO) Alhaji Sule Hamman.
