ABUJA-AS
the country prepares to celebrate its existence of 100 years in 2014,
after amalgamation in 1914, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC,
said former
head of State and presidential candidate of the party, Gen Muhammadu
Buhari (rtd.) scarified his life for the unity of the country.
The party said this to clear the insinuation of some Nigerians about
the presence of Buhari at the recent flag-off of the centenary
celebration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja along with other former
heads of state.
Buhari was seen holding hands with President Goodluck Jonathan when
both of them were on their way to lit the historic centenary torch to
kick-off events lined up for the celebration.
Nigerians saw the presence of Buhari as unusual at the presidential
villa among other former rulers of the country, and also to participate
in such an event led by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government
because Buhari since PDP occupied the presidential villa in 1999 to date
has never been in attendance of the council of state meeting where
follow former heads of state address national issues.
His party, CPC, has come out to clear the insinuations of Nigerians
about the presence of Buhari at the flag –H of the centenary celebration
events as the country clocks 100 years in 2014 as a nation-state.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Engr Rotimi Fashakin told
Vanguard that Buhari has been a true patriot who had laid down his
life for the unity of the country turning the Nigerian civil war
in 1967-1970, his doggedness in the fight against corruption during his
stay in power as the head of state and fight against Chadian invasion,
of some Nigerian villages in Northern and occupation Nigeria.
Fashakin said: “Gen Muhammadu is not the typical politician that
believes in making enemies totally; he has never said President Jonathan
is his enemy, they only contested a position together in 2011 election and that is all. Anything that concerns Nigeria, you will find Gen Buhari there.
You talk about a quintessential patriot that is Gen Muhammadu Buhari
for you. He has fought a civil war to keep this nation together, meaning
that he risked his life in keeping the Nigerian state together.
“When he was General officer commanding the Chadians invaded 19
Nigerians villages and occupied them. Gen Buhari and in word aside
another General saluted and showered encomium sought and got permission
and drove away this Chadians, and not only driving them away, he drove
them 5o km into Chadian territory.
He has also held juicy appointments in Nigeria to help, and when he
declared in2011 he said that he never took one kobo belonging to the
Nigerian nation for himself. Since he made that statement nobody has
been able to controvert him.
“So when Nigerian is celebrating centenary anniversary, despite all
the tempest by irresponsible leaders that have held sway of this nation
and a civil war of 42 months ethno-religious sentiment by some political
leaders, that union still remain intact, why should Gen Buhari not be
there to celebrate that 100 years.
He said the party is not bothered by the views by critics about
Buhari presence at the centenary occasion, “We as a party and our
leader, Gen Buhari do not give a hoot. What Gen Buhari is concerned about is Nigeria being celebrated, and has to be there.
Gen Buhari ruled the country for 20 months meritoriously, also he was
a former head of state and a member of the councils of state, and he is
a state man.
“He is not just a leader of our party but naturally he will be invited to take part in such function,
and is not an indication of aligning with PDP, but showed up there
because Nigeria was involved, and he cannot withdraw his participation
from where Nigeria is celebrated,” Fashakin stated.
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