Friends of former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), under the aegis of Buhari Friends Organization Network, BFON, at the weekend urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt him (Buhari) as its presidential candidate for the 2015 election.
They spoke in Abuja at the inaugural general meeting of the group.
The group’s National Coordinator, Saint Athanasius Okon, noted that like Buhari, his friends also hate corruption, lawlessness, impunity and other vices.
Okon said: “We have to take it upon ourselves as his good friends who hate corruption, indiscipline, lawlessness, impunity in government and insecurity, to first call on the APC leadership and other members of the party to adopt General Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2015 general election”.
Shedding light on how Buhari’s candidature would positively impact Nigeria, Okon said the APC National Leader embodies peace, good governance and the rule of law.
He further noted that because of the high level of corruption, unemployment, poor economy, indiscipline, insecurity and sundry vices forced on the nation by incompetent leadership, Nigerians should ask for Buhari’s return to power through a democratic process.
According to him, history has it on record that the ex-military ruler’s regime in the early 80’s, had zero tolerance for corruption and advocacy of a debt-free economy with priority for employment generation.
Okon recalled that industries were functioning at full capacities and electricity supply was adequate under Gen. Buhari’s leadership.
The spokesman said during Gen. Buhari’s brief stint in office, Nigeria was united and peaceful, adding that the nation was better off than the 15 years of the present civil rule.
He noted that although Gen. Buhari’s friends would not advocate for a military rule, “history shall continue to have a place for him as an exemplary leader”.
“As far as we are concerned, it is either those in government, whose responsibilities are to ensure that the above-mentioned problems and lots others are addressed, are incompetent or not sincere enough. That short-lived administration of General Muhammadu Buhari, which was in place for just one year plus, was better than 15 years of the so-called civil rule.
“Considering the situation we have found ourselves now, with high level of insecurity occasioned by incompetent leadership with no will power to enforce our laws, you will agree with me that there is no better time than now for the man who matters most to come out and salvage the ugly situation for this country to become good again to live in.
“He (Buhari) did it before; he can do it again, even better. My brothers and sisters, comrades and associates of General Buhari, let us rise and ask for Buhari’s return to power through a democratic process.
“In view of the significance of this objective, we have to take it upon ourselves – as his good friends, who hate corruption, indiscipline, lawlessness, impunity in government as well as insecurity – to first call on the leadership of the APC and all the members of the party to please adopt General Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2015 election.
“For those who accused Gen. Buhari ignorantly of sponsoring insurgency or supporting same, there are questions for them too: Are these people aware that Gen. Buhari’s convoy was attacked …by the Boko Haram insurgents? His cars and other valuables were destroyed. And it took God’s intervention to save his life”, Okon stated.
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