Monday 7 January 2013

2015: Buhari expresses fears over free, fair polls

2015: Buhari expresses fears over free, fair polls
Former military Head of State and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, presidential candidate in the 2011 general election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed doubts that the 2015 general elections will be free and fair.
He also called for resistance to the rigging plot of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, warning that any attempt to tamper with the electoral process would be catastrophic.
Buhari said this yesterday in his country home, in Daura, Katsina State, during the launching of an empowerment scheme programme organised by Senator Hadi Sirika (CPC, Katsina North) for the 12 council areas in the senatorial zone.
Speaking in Hausa, the three-time presidential candidate however called on Nigerians and CPC members to “work at ensuring free and fair elections, but that if some people would not allow for such to happen, then everyone should forget the entire process.”
Buhari warned that failure to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in 2015 could have negative outcomes for everyone, including the ruling PDP.
He said that in 2003, 2007 and 2011, he and his party had gone to court to fight alleged injustices perpetrated by the ruling party which led to the PDP winning the presidential elections.
According to him: “We went to court in 2003, in 2007 and the party went to court in 2011. I want us to be ready that in 2015, you should elect those to represent you and those that would lead you; anyone that tries to come in-between is on his own.”
He alleged that the PDP had cheated him and his party in past elections, especially in Adamawa, Sokoto and Kogi among other states, and that this showed the PDP was not out to ensure fairness in electoral contests.
“You know in 2003 that we went to court, we spent about 30 months in various courts but we were told that we did not win the election. In 2007 it was the same, and in 2011 also.
“The past elections in some states like Kogi, Adamawa, Sokoto and other areas were not free and fair polls.”
Buhari maintained that since PDP would not allow for fairness in elections, Nigerians and CPC members in particular should adopt what electorate did in Igabi, Kaduna State, where they struggled to protect their votes and ensure free and fair election.
He noted that PDP’s actions had confirmed that “they are not ready to ensure fairness; and since they would not ensure fairness, that is why we said, like what people in Igabi did in Kaduna State, when there was to be an election, they readied and worked sweat and blood to protect their votes.
“If you want to have good people that would represent you and lead you, then it is compulsory that you do what Igabi people did. Therefore, I give the order that what is done in Igabi should be copied in all the wards across the country.”
He, however, said that the CPC and many people who hate injustice would work to ensure that what happened in previous elections does not repeat itself in 2015.
The retired general called on CPC members to, “elect competent people that would lead and rule you”, and not corrupt people that are insensitive to the plight of those they rule.
“If, however, you are comfortable with servitude, then go and continue living as servants. I will always work to ensure that schools, hospitals, good roads and other infrastructure are available for you from our party’s public office holders.”
Senator Sirika said that Buhari would contest the 2015 general election despite reports to the contrary.
Sirika said the former Head of State had said he would not contest, but several Nigerians, especially within the CPC, wanted him to do so, and that he and other people with similar interest would work to see that Buhari contests the presidential election.
He said Nigerians were tired of those that could not take the country out of its present poverty, unemployment and state of insecurity and were desirous for a change.
“Such change is what the CPC and Buhari can bring to the country should he become president,” and that Nigerians should not relent in labouring to ensure they “are led by corrupt-free and trust worthy leaders.”
NationalMirror

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