The National Chairman Chief John Oyegun, thank you very much for your speech. Leaders and elders of our party, I want to join the Chairman in welcoming you all to this meeting. In the last two months, we have travelled the length and breadth of this country, we have heard the cry of our people and we have told them that we hear their cry – the cry for change.
As you are all aware, our country is passing through trying times
imposed on us by the bad PDP administration. The imminent change in
answer to the yearnings of our people has been delayed by the
postponement of the February 14th, 2015 elections. Our patience and
resilience will be tested in the days ahead. We must pass this test. In a
time like this, which in football analogy can be referred to as extra
time, we must avoid making costly mistakes. In the weeks ahead, I would
like to implore you to remain true to the vision – to build a country
that works for all of us and not just for the few. To rescue and
stabilise our nation from the hands of plunderers. On this, I believe we
are all agreed.
The important issue today is
that we must use the next six weeks that have been imposed on us, to
re-charge and re-focus on our goal. The goal is to win the elections now
slated for March 28th and April 11th
with a convincing majority. We should aim to achieve a victory that
will be beyond dispute and proceed to form the next government and start
work on the task of rebuilding our beloved country.
Our
eyes must be on the objective to build a great society that works for
all of us. A country where every child has an equal opportunity to get
an education, where every young Nigerian who needs a job can find one.
Where the sick are looked after and senior citizens are provided for. A
country which gives value to human life, where the welfare and security
of all is a national priority and corruption is defeated.
However,
I must not fail to mention at this point, one issue which has become
topical in the last few days and that is the worrisome revelations by
Capt. Sagir Koli about how he, a serving officer at that time, was
deployed, with other serving officers, some more senior in rank to work
with key politicians of the PDP to rig the Ekiti elections. Up till now,
there has been no official denial of this most unfortunate event. It
makes me wonder, in the circumstances that led to shifting of the date
of the Federal Elections, whether the security services are even now
being prepared to play similar roles in the March 28th and April 11th
elections. Let me reiterate once more that our security services have
serious constitutional responsibilities to the people of the nation and
so their importance to the health of the country cannot be under
estimated. It is therefore imperative that their leaders must not drag
these invaluable institutions into the realm of partisan politics.
I
personally and, am sure, all Nigerians, have tremendous respect for our
security services. I therefore urge strongly that they stick to, and
concentrate on, their constitutional duties, otherwise they stand the
risk of becoming part of our already complicated national situation.
I
am deeply encouraged by the very high degree of cooperation and
commitment to our common purpose of changing Nigeria for good that you
all have exhibited in our campaign. I have noticed many of us embarked
on our campaign trips without carrying a change of clothing hoping to
return home the same day only to spend the night on strange beds because
the dynamics of the campaign required that they spend the night away
from home. You have ignored in some cases personal health challenges and
given yourself to the campaign effort just to be part of the movement
for change.
There are some of you who lost in
the various primaries to choose candidates for our party during these
elections and rather than being disappointed you have thrown your
energies and resources to the campaign not minding your personal losses.
And there are others who have been made mind boggling offers by our
opponents in a bid to break our ranks and curtail our momentum in the
march to change Nigeria for good, yet you have chosen to be on the side
of a cause that is just.
I therefore appeal to
you all party leaders and faithful not to rest thinking that all is won.
Six weeks is a long time and we do not know the plans of the other side
but with our strong resolve we will prevail.
Therefore
let us keep our eyes on the ball. Let us work as we have never done
before, and let us watch and help each other. The days and weeks ahead
will be tough. Our resolve will be tested and all kinds of evil tricks
will be on display. But do not despair. The goal is in sight. Change is
coming. The people of Nigeria will prevail. God has destined Nigeria to
be a great country. We shall overcome and Change shall be achieved.
God bless you all, God bless the APC and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
General Muhammadu Buhari GCFR
(Presidential Flag Bearer of the APC, 2015)
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Shehu Musa Yar'Adua
