All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu
Buhari yesterday urged Nigerians to avoid violence over the
postponement of the general elections.
He said though the polls shift was disappointing and provocative, Nigerians must remain resolute and rise above provocation.
To Gen. Buhari, the postponement is a delay tactic, but he was quick
to add that whether the Presidency or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
likes it or not, an elected government must be in place by May 29.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the weekend
moved the elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 – a
decision that has drawn much anger.
Gen. Buhari said the nation must continue to trust in the entire democratic process and in INEC.
But he warned that the APC will not tolerate any further interference with the electoral process.
He said March 28 and April 11 must remain sacrosanct.
Gen. Buhari, who made the appeal at an international briefing in
Abuja, said Nigerians must not allow the delay to abort their desire for
change through the ballot.
He said: “Following the decision by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2015 general elections by
six weeks, I wish to appeal for utmost restraint and calm by all
Nigerians, especially the teeming supporters of our great party, the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
“This postponement, which comes on the heels of the bogey of the
National Security Adviser that half of the registered voters were being
disenfranchised, was exposed as a crude and fraudulent attempt to
subvert the electoral process.
“The PDP administration has now engineered a postponement, using the
threat that security will not be guaranteed across the length and
breadth of Nigeria because of military engagement in some states in the
Northeast.
“It is important to note that although INEC acted within its
constitutional powers, it is clear that it has been boxed into a
situation where it has had to bow to pressure. Thus, the independence of
INEC has been gravely compromised.
“As a Nigerian and a presidential candidate in the elections, I share
in the disappointment and frustration of this decision. This
postponement, coming a week to the first election, has raised so many
questions, many of which shall be asked in the days ahead.
“However, we must not allow ourselves to be tempted into taking actions that could further endanger the democratic process.”
Gen. Buhari said recourse to violence might complicate the security challenges facing the nation.
He urged Nigerians to use the postponement to strengthen their
resolve to sack PDP from power and rescue the nation during the poll.
He said: “Our country is going through a difficult time in the hands
of terrorists. Any act of violence can only complicate the security
challenges in the country and provide further justification to those who
would want to exploit every situation to frustrate the democratic
process in the face of certain defeat at the polls.
“If anything, this postponement should strengthen our resolve and
commitment to rescue our country from the current economic and social
collapse from this desperate band.
“Our desire for change must surpass their desperation to hold on to
power at all cost. We are clearly dealing with people who feel they can
get away with placing their personal interest over those of our nation
and its citizens. What is at stake is the very survival of our country.
We must not allow this temporary delay to abort this great opportunity.
“ While I share the pains and frustration of my fellow citizens over
this development, my deep faith in the democratic process assures me
that this country, with your support, will overcome.
“We must remain resolute and rise above all provocations. We must
continue to trust in the entire democratic process and in INEC, which
has been brought under so much pressure in the last few days.”
But, said Gen. Buhari, the APC will no longer tolerate any interference with the democratic process.
He added: “Our trust can only serve to encourage the electoral body
to remain steadfast and remain committed to the rule of law. I wish to
state strongly that our party will not tolerate any further
interference with the electoral process. The rescheduled elections
of March 28th and April 11th, 2015 must be sacrosanct.
“Nigeria is definitely greater than any of us, and much more
important than our individual ambitions. Before us there was Nigeria,
and long after we are gone there will still be Nigeria. Let us continue
to do our part to make it the great country that it should be. We must
rescue our dear country. God being on our side, we shall salvage
Nigeria together. God Bless Nigeria!”
Gen. Buhari, who responded to questions from journalists, insisted
that the shift was a delay tactic by the Presidency and the PDP.
He said: “I am a member of the Council of State and INEC gave us a
comprehensive plan of their readiness to go ahead with the elections.
INEC is the body that will organise and conduct elections in this
country. It is up to the government to secure INEC.
“But with the military we have, if for five years the Nigerian
military cannot secure 14 local governments-10 in Borno, two in Yobe and
two in Adamawa-out of 774 local governments in this country, doesn’t
that mean a delay tactic? What they couldn’t do in six years, can they
do it in six weeks?
“But again, it is absolutely clear to us that elections must be held
at least 30 days before 29th of May. So, this is the last card INEC and
the government has. We don’t know the type of government they want to
bring, whether a military government or a civilian government. But an
elected government must be in place 30 days before May 29 this year.
“We will not tolerate any further interference because it is constitutional. INEC has played its last card.
“If you listened to the explanation of the Chairman of INEC, 30 days
to 29th of May, elections must be held and having shifted the date,
to March 28 and April 11, that is the last card. So, the Federal
Government has to secure this country on the 28th of March and 11th of
April respectively for the election to take place.
“Otherwise, whatever they do is going to be unconstitutional and it is up to Nigerians to accept or reject it.”
At the briefing were the National Chairman of APC, Chief John
Odigie-Oyegun, the Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign
Organisation, Governor Rotimi Amaechi; a former Lagos State Governor and
National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Abia
State Governor, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, a former Gombe State governor,
Senator Danjuma Goje, ex-Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki, former
Anambra State Governor, Chris Ngige, Deputy National Chairman (South)
Chief Segun Oni, Deputy National Chairman (North) Lawal Shuaibu,
National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, Director of Organisation,
APC Presidential Campaign Council, Boss Mustapha, a member of the House
of Representatives Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, former Secretary of INEC,
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, ex-National Chairman of ACN, Chief Audu Ogbe,
and a former acting National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje.
Monday 9 February 2015
Buhari Urges Nigerians To Avoid Violence
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