An attempt
by a Kano-based group, the Muhammadu Buhari Legacy Implementation Initiative
(MBLII) to market the sole candidacy of the incumbent president ahead of
the
2019 election to the apex-northern group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF),
yesterday, attracted hostile reception and condemnation.
The ACF did
not only fault the idea, it launched a verbal attacked on members of the group,
who it stopped short of walking out of its secretariat in Kaduna.
Meanwhile,
the South-South Re-awakening group led by its Chairman, Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo
urged northerners through the ACF to reignite old political bond that existed
between south and north for purpose of peaceful coexistence and development of
the people and nation at large.
The MBLII
had canvassed during a courtesy visit to ACF that the North must ensure that
2019 presidency did not go to any candidate other than the incumbent president.
“We hope
that the presidency will remain in the north without going into alliance with
any party, we don’t need to share power with anybody. We don’t need to consider
any merger. Our fathers and mothers in ACF, this is why we have come to seek
your assistance and cooperation, and this is our story,” chairman of the
pro-Buhari, Ado Mohammed, explained.
“After
Muhammadu Buhari was elected president in 2015, we decided that we should go
round the whole country to implement Buhari’s legacies by assisting him from
outside the government.
“We opted to
look at his commitment, dedication, patriotism and sincerity of purpose to good
governance and development of Nigeria.
“We are
going to go round the 36 states of the country, beginning from Kano to mobilise
for the president. We have started consultation with the 44 local government
areas of Kano State and all the 434
wards are involved. What remains for us now is to start recruitment before the
end of July; and we are calling on the management of this Forum to cooperate
with us,”leader of the pro-Buhari group said.
Instead of
the anticipated warm embrace and pat on the back, what the pro-Buhari group got
was verbal attacks, as the ACF said nobody or group had the right to impose a
candidate on the north.
Vice Chairman
of ACF, Senator Abubakar Girei faulted the suggestion by the MBLII that the
north did not need any other candidate besides Buhari.
“I don’t I
agree with you that by next election, North does not need any other person. I
suggest that you reconsider your position. Secondly, you don’t need to tell us
about Buhari’s honesty because we know that was why Nigerians voted for him.
What you can do now is to bring out the legacies or achievements of Buhari,
which Nigerians don’t know, so that the people can appreciate him and his kind
of character.”
Also,
National Legal Adviser, Hajiya Halima Alfa, reminded the pro-Buhari group that
the ACF was a non-partisan organisartion.
“In our
constitution, we say we are not partisan. For this body to pick Buhari as an
individual to campaign for in 2017, I think is wrong for this August body. I
feel this is not the right place for you to extend this cause because in
2014/2015 when Buhari was coming, I will want you to note that this body (ACF)
vouched for him. I will not support your coming here in 2017 to canvass for
Buhari in 2019. This is not the right place for this.
“Because of
what the constitution of ACF stands for, we have to be very mindful because
even in 2015 when Buhari was contesting, he was not the only northern
candidate, we had about four of them from Arewa.
“If any one
of them should come and say he/she too want to portray the legacies of whoever
they stand for, then we have to listen to all. We have to very careful and
mindful of what we do.”
Similarly,
outspoken Senator Joseph Waku, a member
of the National Executive Committee (NEC)
faulted the pro-Buhari organisation for putting the cart before the
horse.
“This is a
wrong place for your group to make a first stop, particularly for measuring two
political parties in our midst. We are not here to assess political party that
is strong or weak. Buhari became president of Nigeria because he is Buhari;
it’s not because of you, not because of APC or PDP, it is because he is Buhari.
And I keep telling Nigerians that APC did not win election, Buhari won
election. Therefore, coming to lecture us about Buhari’s legacy is a wrong
move. You are in wrong place.”
0 Comments