Former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari has officially declared his intention to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at Eagle Square, venue of the declaration, on Wednesday, Buhari lamented that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had presided over the country’s decline, but promised to reverse the rot if elected.
He accused PDP of interfering with the wish of the people, saying this is the greatest form of injustice. He also accused the party of leading the country into its most divisive era.
“I want to pay tribute to Nigerians who are enduring all sorts of hardship and degradations on a daily basis,” Buhari said.
“Many are grappling with extreme poverty and barely eking out a living. Nearly all are in living in the fear of their lives, also of their friends and family, due to insurgency by the godless movement called Boko Haram.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is everyone’s duty to resolve and help overcome these immense challenges. I will like to appreciate members of our armed forces under the new leadership. I will also like to commend the police for their efforts in confronting these challenges.”
He thanked APC supporters all over the country for their perseverance and resolve in face of the oppressive PDP government, saying his declaration was an occasion to celebrate our effort and resolve to continue until victory is won.
“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 assured the public that in contrast with PDP, which “lacks democratic tenets,” APC had institutedstructures to enthrone free and fair election at the primary election to determine the party’s flag bearer.
“We have work very hard in the last 18 months to put up structures from the polling units, to wards, localgovernment, state and the centre. These structures will lead to free and fair polls. There is no point in holding elections if they are not free and fair,” he said.
“The interference in the wish of the people, which PDP has practised since 2003, is the worst form of injustice: denying people their right to appraise their candidate. Whether they like it or not, injustice cannot endure.
“Since 1999, PDP has presided over our country’s decline. Nigeria, in my experience, has never been so divided, so polarised by an unthinking government, hellbent on ruling and stealing. We in the APC are resolved to stop them in their tracks and rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of PDP.”
His declaration was attended by Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole; Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola; Governor of Nasarawa State, TankoAl-Makura; Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, some former governors and other high-ranking members of APC, sending a signal that Buhari may be backed by majority of the party’s heavyweights, as Atiku Abubakar’s presidential declaration last week was not attended by any of these governors.
