Former Head of State and the leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari has given insights into why some political parties merged to form APC, saying that an alliance was the only way to defeating the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 elections.
Indeed, General Buhai told Daily Sun that no since single opposition party can on its own withstand the PDP in an election.
Speaking yesterday on Liberty Radio, a private radio station based in Kaduna, Buhari recalled that the merger effort did not yield result in 2010 because of lack of time to meet the Electoral Act deadline, hence PDP carried the day in 2011 general elections.
He said this time around, the APC would send PDP packing from ruling the country, calling on all Nigerians to go and register as APC members to enable them vote for the party in the forthcoming elections.
He said, “The process leading to APC started in 2005 when we realized that no single party can face the PDP and survive because of the way things are going. So, we decided to come together from across the country to form a strong party to face the PDP.
“If you recall, in 2010, we had two committees in ACN and CPC and we shared experiences. We had the name, the logo; we started drafting the constitution and manifesto, and conditions that must be fulfilled according to the Electoral Act before a party is registered. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it before the expiration of 90 days before elections and so, the merger could not take place in 2010.
“This time around, we started early enough. We had conventions, submitted our registration certificates, applied and got the registration. We have interim structures on the ground which we have been putting in place for several weeks now. The next stage for us is registration of members and the next thing will be to hold convention. It is something that was well thought out over the years.
“We have been convinced that since 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed without a shot being fired, that multi party democratic system is superior. But there is an important barrier. Elections must be free and fair. We have been to court three times in 2003, 2007 and 2011 not because we were convinced that we were going to win. We went because we want to make sure that this multi-party democracy takes firm grip on Nigerians. If we can come and go, the system will be strong enough to guarantee security for this country and guarantee prosperity for this country. This is our objective.
“Like I have said, we have to properly secure and manage this country. You cannot deny citizens their rights to express their own opinion or you allow some people to brazenly threaten the cooperate existence of the country and instead of inviting them and asking them to explain themselves to the nation, they are given a ride in Presidential jets. When others do it, you go and lock them up or you harass them. That is not the way to do things.
“For example, when the seven governors decided to break out from the PDP and we went and visited them; five of the governors took the risk. One of the governors still have problem with the police, his children were arrested, the bank officials that transacted business with his children were locked up. Those are children of governors. You can imagine what will then happen to children of ordinary Nigerians. There is this problem of insecurity in the land, both physical and material which the All Progressive Congress is about to whip out, God willing
“All we are fighting for is to have proper democracy. What I mean is that whatever people say, whether they reflect briefly on it or not, Nigerians are now well aware of their right and what they expect from government. In APC, we have reduced it to two, your security and management. We have to secure this country and manage it properly. I think people have suffered enough, they are now prepared to listen and I believe they are listening and are cooperating.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on Nigerians to come out and register with the All Progressive Congress during the registration exercise scheduled for between the 5th to 10 of February 2014 as explained by the committee that is supposed to go round to ensure the success of the exercise from the ward, local government, state and national levels.
“Go and register so that you can participate in the processes that will lead to the convention to elect leaders for the party as well as those that will be identified to stand election subsequently from the councillorship to the Presidency.
“This is your privilege and you have to guide it religiously so that you can participate in the processes of running this country next year. Already, INEC has put out its programme which I believe are subject to modifications when the political parties think it is time to do so. I wish all of us the best of luck so that we can have a register of members in our own hands and as Nigerians, participate fully in the process that will lead to elections next year.
“I mentioned that there are structures on the ground from polling units, wards, local government and the states. We are expecting those teams to be on ground and available to make things easy to all those who are not clear on the conduct of the exercise. They have been sent across the country from neigbouring states and from other geopolitical zones because it is a Nigerian affair, the process is for all Nigerians in all parts of the country. We do not envisage any problem whatsoever.
“We are trying to simplify the registration venues especially for our people in the rural areas and those who are not able to listen to radio or watch television if there is light in the area. The people can choose their time because there are five days for the exercise. They can chose when to go and register, but the earlier they go, the better so that they can have their own membership card as members of the All Progressive Congress and continue to look forward to other processes”.
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