Press statement from APC presidential candidate
Gen. Buhari on the election postponement...
We Must Remain Calm But Resolute
Following the decision by the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
postpone the 2015 general elections by six
weeks, I wish to appeal for utmost restraint
and calm by all Nigerians, especially the
teeming supporters of our great party, the
All Progressives Congress (APC).
This postponement, which comes on the
heels of the bogey of the National Security
Adviser that half of the registered voters
were being disenfranchised was exposed as
a crude and fraudulent attempt to subvert
the electoral process.
The PDP administration has now engineered a
postponement using the threat that security will
not be guaranteed across the length and
breadth of Nigeria because of military
engagement in some states in the North East.
It is important to note that although INEC acted
within its constitutional powers, it is clear that it
has been boxed into a situation where it has had
to bow to pressure. Thus, the independence of
INEC has been gravely compromised.
As a Nigerian and a presidential candidate in the
elections, I share in the disappointment and
frustration of this decision. This postponement
coming a week to the first election has raised so
many questions, many of which shall be asked in
the days ahead. However, we must not allow
ourselves to be tempted into taking actions that
could further endanger the democratic process.
Our country is going through a difficult time in
the hands of terrorists. Any act of violence can
only complicate the security challenges in the
country and provide further justification to those
who would want to exploit every situation to
frustrate the democratic process in the face of
certain defeat at the polls.
If anything, this postponement should strengthen
our resolve and commitment to rescue our
country from the current economic and social
collapse from this desperate band.
Our desire for
change must surpass their desperation to hold
on to power at all cost. We are clearly dealing
with people who feel they can get away with
placing their personal interest over those of our
nation and its citizens. What is at stake is the
very survival of our country. We must not allow
this temporary delay to abort this great
opportunity. While I share the pains and
frustrations of my fellow citizens over this
development, my deep faith in the democratic
process assures me that this country, with your
support, will overcome.
We must remain resolute and rise above all
provocations. We must continue to trust in the
entire democratic process and in INEC, which
has been brought under so much pressure in the
last few days. Our trust can only serve to
encourage the electoral body to remain steadfast
and remain committed to the rule of law. I wish
to state strongly that our party will not tolerate
any further interference with the electoral
process. The rescheduled elections of March
28th and April 11th, 2015 must be sacrosanct.
Nigeria is definitely greater than any of us, and
much more important than our individual
ambitions. Before us there was Nigeria, and long
after we are gone there will still be Nigeria. Let
us continue to do our part to make it thegreat
country that it should be. We must rescue our
dear country. God being on our side, we shall
salvage Nigeria together.
God Bless Nigeria!
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR
Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives
Party, APC.
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