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| Gen.Muhammadu Buhari |
The All Progressives Congress (APC)'s presidential candidate for the 2015 elections, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has said President Goodluck
Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have run out of ideas.
He
also noted that the administration had equally run out of excuses for its
inability to provide quality leadership for Nigerians.
Buhari
said this in a New Year message to Nigerians on Wednesday. He
noted that announcements made by the Presidency and its agencies over the last
one month, had dampened the morale of many Nigerians. According to him,
President Jonathan and the ruling party have devalued the Naira which means
that the price of goods and services will rise thus increasing the burden of
ordinary Nigerians.
In
the statement signed on his behalf by the Director, Communications of the
Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Dele Alake, Buhari said by Presidency’s own
admission, he was promising Nigerians a tougher 2015.
Buhari
was quoted as saying, “Our opponents have not only run out of ideas, they have
run out of excuses for failure. He said, “Indeed, the Presidency has declared a
regime of austerity that will be executed in 2015. To quote the press reports,
the President himself has declared that year 2015 shall be “tough” on our
people.
“Against
this season of despair foisted on our people, I bring to you, a New Year
Message of hope and optimism. I share the anxiety of the middle class and the
poor who have borne the brunt of the policies of this government for so long
with increasing burden.
“I
share the fear of the unemployed whose hopes for new jobs in the New Year is
being dashed because companies will cut jobs to escape spiral inflation. I
share the concerns of the manufacturers whose import-dominated production will
be challenged by the austerity measures.”
Buhari
urged leaders to eschew the cynical habit of wishing Nigerians a happy New Year
when their actions were calculated to undermine their happiness. He pointed out
that it was impossible for the vast majority of Nigerians to enjoy happiness
given the scale of corruption, impunity and indiscipline that currently
incapacitated the Nigerian state from fulfilling its obligations to the
Nigerian people.
He
said the country desperately needed a disciplined and visionary leadership that
had the capacity to fight corruption.
“It
is only some Nigerians who have access to the corridors of power and benefit
from the monumental graft that characterises governance in the country today
that can enjoy their perverse and ultimately futile form of happiness,” Buhari
said.
Buhari
called on Nigerians to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party, promising that
his administration would ensure “cheaper electricity, food security,
accelerated power supply, integrated transport network, free education,
affordable health care service and effective security of life and property.”
According
to him, Nigerians cannot enjoy the dividends of democracy owing to corruption,
impunity and indiscipline that currently incapacitate the country.
He
added, “Nigerians must be the sole object and focus of government. Man must be
the pivot around which governance revolves. The more the potential of citizens
are maximised within any nation, the higher will be the prospects of that
nation for attaining greatness. The first great task facing Nigeria today,
therefore, is to put in place a government that can guarantee the safety and
security of Nigerians throughout the length and breadth of our country. This is
because Nigerians must first of all be alive, safe and free from fear before
they can exercise and utilise their talents for the benefit of their nation.
“I
declare, that, collectively, we can bring an end to this season of despair; we
can bring an end to this avoidable fear; we can bring an end to this needless
anxiety. On February 14, 2015, the Almighty offers us a historic opportunity to
chart a new course out of the tragedy that we have found ourselves; History
offers us a chance to correct the errors of the past. Great Nigerian people!
This is our chance!
“…My
message to you is to use your voter card on February 14, 2015 to liberate our
country by voting for a real happy new year for yourselves.”
“This
is the type of leadership I offer and for which I humbly seek the mandate of
Nigerians at the polls this New Year. I am confident that great days are ahead
of Nigerians. I therefore enjoin us all to keep hope alive. The glory and pride
of Nigeria will be restored both internally and externally this New Year. Renew
your faith that, for Nigeria, the best is on the way and by the grace of the
Almighty, I shall meet you there.”
Happy New Year!
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