Former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU), Prof. Ango Abdullahi
The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) led by Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule
has endorsed former military Head of State and presidential candidate
of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd),
for the February presidential election.
Addressing a news conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, the Secretary of
the forum and former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
(ABU), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, appealed to Nigerians to support the
Buhari/Osinbajo presidential bid.
Abdullahi said the forum had decided to support the APC candidate
because he is a better candidate compare to President Goodluck Jonathan
and Vice-President Namadi Sambo.
The group also declared that it was opposed to any attempt to postpone
the elections, warning that any attempt to form an interim government
as being canvassed by some elements in the country would be rejected.
Abdullahi maintained that a vote for Buhari/Osinbajo would end fear,
impunity and destitution characterised by the Jonathan administration in
the country.
“The NEF has welcomed the emergence of Buhari as a presidential
candidate who has better credentials to lead Nigeria out of its current
challenges than President Jonathan.
“Our endorsement of Buhari, in the same manner Nigerians from all parts
of the country are supporting his candidature, is based on our belief
that he and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo have the
integrity, commitment and experience to resolve our security problems,
fight corruption and fix our economy.
“We welcome the overwhelming nation-wide support they are enjoying, and
we appeal to all Nigerians to support them to a victory that will end
fear, impunity and destitution in our land,” Abdullahi said.
He said the forum was aware of issue of an interim national government
being muted in some quarters, maintaining that “such illegal
arrangement” should not be allowed to truncated the February elections.
The forum insisted that the February elections must hold under most
secure and peaceful conditions possible, adding that “we have no doubt
that the administration of President Jonathan is in a position to
guarantee this, if it wishes.
“The forum is aware of sentiments being canvassed by anti-democratic
forces that an unconstitutional interim national government or a similar
illegal arrangement should be put in place to stop the forthcoming
elections.
“We want to warn in the strongest terms possible that any designs to
prevent the expression of popular will in February under whatever guise
or excuse will be rejected and resisted by all Nigerians.
“The February elections must hold under the most secure and peaceful
conditions possible, and we have no doubt that the administration of
Jonathan is in a position to guarantee this, if it wishes.
“We therefore urge the president to rise to the occasion and prove to
Nigerians and the world that he can provide the necessary and enabling
environment to conduct credible elections.
“We expect the president to openly and unequivocally condemn any
sentiments or efforts to truncated the political and electoral process,”
the former vice-chancellor said.
Speaking further Abdullahi urged the leading presidential candidates to publicly preach against violence during the elections.
”We urge them as well as other presidential, gubernatorial and national
and state assembly candidates to sign statements urging disciplined,
responsible and peaceful campaigning,” he said.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/northern-elders-endorse-buhari-s-candidacy/199256/
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