Buhari: I ’m not in the race for money and power

•APC candidate worried about misuse of military
All Progressives Congress ( APC) presidential candidate Gen .
Muhammadu Buhari is worried about what he calls the
government’s penchant for misusing the military.
Speaking yesterday at a news conference in Abuja, Gen . Buhari
urged his supporters to shun violence during tomorrow ’s
presidential and National Assembly elections .
Gen . Buhari also said that he was not contesting the election
because of power and money, but because of the belief by
Nigerians that he is in a position to lead them out of despair .
He thanked Nigerians for their support throughout his campaign
and urged them to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the
elections.
They must resist “ any act of deliberate provocation to derail the
fast moving train of change” .
He said the democracy being practised in the country is not what
Nigerians bargained for when they celebrated the end of military
rule in 1999, pointing out that the basic challenges facing
Nigerians today are: the economy, insecurity, unemployment and
corruption . These challenges demand competence and political
will to handle, he added.
Gen . Buhari said : “I specifically called this press conference to
thank millions of Nigerians for their support and their enthusiastic
commitment to the imperative of change. I am particularly
overwhelmed that, despite the sustained smear campaigns
against me by the ruling PDP , the support Nigerians have for me
has remained intact . The enthusiasm of Nigerians for change is
understandable.
“The 16 years of PDP administration is a story of despair,
despondency, disillusionment and pervasive fear , caused by
unprecedented insecurity. The basic functions of the
governments, such as the security, welfare and happiness of the
citizens, appear only on paper.
“It is morally wrong for any government that has woefully failed in
these basic responsibilities to demand or expect another mandate
from the disillusioned citizens of Nigeria .
“The PDP administration has exhausted all its goodwill and lost
all the argument on performance and competence and is, as a
result, seeking to retain power at all costs , regardless of
performance. This is a shameless reflection of desperation and
greed for power. A government that abandoned its citizens to
their fate has no reason to remain in office a day longer than
necessary.
“I am pleased to say that the best judges of a government’ s
performance are its own citizens . The popularity of the PDP is at
the lowest ebb , and this shrinkage of goodwill is irretrievable .
Nigerians are desperately yearning for change as they
enthusiastically look forward to tomorrow , Saturday March 28,
and April 14 to exercise their franchise by voting for change.
“Nigerians are desirous of change because they don ’t want the
continuation of their present miserable existence under PDP’ s
ruinous rule . They are tired of a government of failed promise ,
and are earnestly marching ahead to embrace a government that
loves the welfare of its citizens .
“The presidential election this Saturday , March 28, 2015 , presents
a great opportunity for Nigerians to come out en - masse and vote
to remove an incompetent government from office . The beauty of
democracy is that it gives power to the people to change the
government peacefully .
“We thank all Nigerians for their support, but we urge all our
supporters to come out and vote on Saturday . If they don ’t vote ,
it may be difficult to change their miserable conditions . I urge all
our supporters to also conduct themselves peacefully , and resist
any act of deliberate provocation to derail the fast - moving train
for change.
I urge my supporters and my party to show exemplary conduct of
orderly behaviour. They must avoid anything that might make
them play into the hands of the PDP mischief makers , who are
determined to discredit our party.
“As a people, this is not the kind of democracy we bargained for
when we celebrated the end of military rule in May 1999 . The
basic challenges facing Nigerians today are : the economy ,
insecurity, unemployment , and corruption . These challenges
demand competence and political will to handle.
“Nigeria is adrift under the current PDP administration . Millions of
Nigerians are captives of fear because of insecurity; thousands of
our unemployed youth are haunted by suicidal temptations
because of uncertain future ; the country cannot achieve progress
because pervasive corruption guzzles huge resources meant for
the welfare of the people . And finally, how can the economy do
well when leaders are incompetent and corrupt? Can any economy
grow under the feet of corruption ?
“When the government lacks the will, the competence and the
courage to handle these challenges, are Nigerians not legitimately
entitled to demand for change for a better tomorrow?
“I am not contesting this election because I want power and
money. I am doing so because Nigerians believe I have what it
takes to achieve the much - needed change. When the people
express interest in your ability and integrity to lead them, you
have a responsibility to answer the clarion call to national
service .
“I am also worried about the increasing temptation by the
government to drag the military into duties outside their
professional training. This tendency makes Nigeria look like those
banana republics where chaos is the order of the day .
“While I commend our soldiers in the current war against
terrorism and threats to the country ’s territorial integrity, we
should exercise caution in the deployment of soldiers during
elections as the courts have severally warned . It puts their
political neutrality and credibility at risk .
“Once again , let me use this opportunity to thank Nigerians for
their tremendous support throughout this electioneering
campaign period. The biggest challenge, however, is that we must
come out en- masse to vote APC and its presidential and other
candidates .
“Having done that, I expect them to do all that is within the law to
protect their votes and ensure that the will of the people is not
subverted or in any way undermined .”