2015 Presidential Election: Why Buhari is the best candidate for Nigeria – Group

A group of supporters of a leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, has asked him to declare his interest in the 2015 presidential election. The group, Buhari Vanguard, in a statement on Wednesday said many Nigerians think it was time for him to lead the country and rekindle hope.

Mr. Buhari, a retired major general was Nigeria’s Head of State between December 31,1983 and August 27, 1985. He contested the presidential election twice on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and once on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.

The Buhari Vanguard stated that Nigeria could no longer afford to gamble with leadership. It said what was required now was a decisive, strong, disciplined, respected, and influential leader with zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, materialism and above all, a proven record of the aforementioned qualities as well as the confidence of the people.

“We consider Muhammadu Buhari as one who rightly fits this description and call on him to declare to contest the 2015 presidential elections on the platform of the All Progressive Congress APC,” the group said in a statement by its chairman, Jasper Azuatalam.

“Many Nigerians think that now is the right time for him to step into the ring. Muhammadu Buhari’s entrance into the race will rekindle hope in many Nigerians and arouse the commitments of millions of Nigerians who believe in him to join in championing the cause of positive change in Nigeria come 2015.”

“This will also bring lots of commitments and support to the All Progressive Congress as millions of Nigerians who are apolitical will throw their weights behind APC because of their trust and confidence in the person of Muhammadu Buhari.
“It will also give room for enough time to strategize and enlighten Nigerians towards the expected victory come 2015. This will make APC more united and position it for victory in the 2015 general election.”

The Buhari Vangaurd said it is aware that Mr. Buhari, in his own opinion and feelings, pronounced on the eve of the 2011 general election that he would not contest the presidential election again after that year. It however said the goodwill, respect, honour and popularity enjoyed by the APC leader was made possible by millions of Nigerians who hold him in high esteem, believed in him, and honours him without any kind of inducement from him.

It said Mr. Buhari was not only a former head of state, retired general and elder statesman, but also enjoyed the greatest fellowship and respect among his contemporaries. The group said, “We believe that honour is reciprocal and that if a man is honoured by his people, it will only be right for the one that is honoured to also honour those that honoured him.
“At this point, the greatest honour that Muhammadu Buhari can give to Nigerians is to step in and lead this journey to positive change come 2015.

“The best way Muhammadu Buhari can reciprocate the immense goodwill, respect and honour given to him by Nigerians is to heed to this call to contest the 2015 presidential election as we hope that he will make it to the number one position in Nigeria and chart a new course for our nation through purposeful and selfless leadership.”