General Muhammadu Buhari's remarks in Kaduna on Monday after he received the leaders of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) from Niger state elicited reactions. Here is the transcription of what he said. He spoke in Hausa.
I have come out to thank you for coming after I have discussed with your chairman, your senator, your members of the House of Representatives, state assembly and the leaders of your party. They made remarks, but the chairman's statement was written and he has given it to journalists, and since he has given it to them, it has become public knowledge. The others that have made remarks included the man that contested the governorship election, the CPC leader of Niger State lawmakers, Senator Ibrahim and the leader of CPC elders in Niger state.
In my own remarks, I showed my gratitude because of how you the CPC members in Niger State have reached cohesion by cooperation, and our strength in the state has manifested in the hard work our representatives are doing. They have vindicated our party, because they are keeping the trust reposed on them by the people that voted for them.
I thank you very much and I apologise because I came late. You that came from Niger have even arrived at my office before me. I apologise. I received two party officials that came from Abuja, they came in the morning that is why I came late, I apologise.
I thank you very much, I wish you safe journey back home, and you should continue to be patient. I and the leaders of your party have decided that by the grace of Allah in 2015, either there will be fair election or it will be a tough contest where nobody will find it funny.
I have discussed with Kaduna people recently because of what has happened that took us even to the Supreme Court, but it still happened in Kogi, Adamawa and Sokoto bye- elections.
In Kaduna, the Igabi case has become famous where they voted senator, voted representatives and the party leaders, just as you are here now, moved and stayed there, until CPC was given her rightful vote.
Therefore, in 2015, all wards in Nigeria should become Igabi, otherwise we should leave politics and assume we are slaves, and continue living in slavery. Thank you very much, May Allah help us.
Daily Trust
Buhari should focus on his life and leave politics for the younger generation. The Presidency shouldn't be a do-or-die affair!