The high wire politics and bitter
rivalry between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All
Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday took a dramatic dimension in
London as their supporters clashed during the much publicised visit by
APC presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, to the Royal Institute
of International Affairs, otherwise known as Chatham House.
Though the clash was symbolic, supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP and those of Buhari, with branded shirts, posters and other souvenirs, held demonstrations in an attempt to showcase the electoral values of the two presidential candidates.
The Buhari campaign organisation had, through a letter made available to LEADERSHIP Friday on Wednesday, alleged that certain Nigerians in the diaspora had allegedly been mobilised by the Presidency to organise a rally to embarrass Buhari at the venue.
True to the prediction, those opposed to Buhari, comprising mainly young men, yesterday carried placards with inscriptions: “Buhari Belongs to the Past”, “The Past Can’t Belong to our Children Today”, etc.
The London Metropolitan Police faced a hectic time trying to control the crowd as, hours after the anti-Buhari supporters started their rally, the APC London branch also appeared at the scene, praising Buhari and the party’s leaders.
Buhari’s loyalists held placards, one of which bore the inscription: “Buhari Will Fight Corruption”.
The groups maintained some distance from the venue of Buhari’s presentation on the topic: ‘Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition’. The event was chaired by a former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Gozney.
Elections must hold as scheduled – Buhari
During his speech at the occasion, Buhari observed that the 2015 general election in Nigeria was generating a lot of interest within and outside the country, and called on the federal government and other agencies involved in the conduct of the general elections to ensure that they are held as rescheduled.
“Given increasing global linkages, it is in our collective interests that the postponed elections should hold on the rescheduled dates; that they should be free and fair; that their outcomes should be respected by all parties; and that any form of extension, under whichever guise, is unconstitutional and will not be tolerated,” he said.
Buhari: My presidency is for prosperity, not adversity
Buhari further told the gathering that his presidency will eradicate corruption, saying, however, that his government, if elected, will promote prosperity and not adversity.
“Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration. First and foremost, we will plug the holes in the budgetary process.”
He pledged to strengthen anti-graft agencies, and imbue them with independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference.
“But I must emphasise that any war waged on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witch-hunt. I’m running for President to lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity.”
He also noted that the security situation in the country is worrisome and alarming, stating that “there is a genuine cause for worry, both within and outside Nigeria. Apart from the civil war era, at no other time in our history has Nigeria been this insecure”.
“Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals, displacing millions internally and externally, and at a time holding on to portions of our territory the size of Belgium. What has been consistently lacking is the required leadership in our battle against insurgency. I, as a retired general and a former head of state, have always known about our soldiers: they are capable, well trained, patriotic, brave and always ready to do their duty in the service of our country.”
He expresses regret that the government had so dragged its feet in the anti-terror war that it was now dependent on neighbours to bail it out.
“We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism,” he said.
Foreign endorsement unnecessary – PDP
Meanwhile, the PDP has described Buhari appearance at the Chatham House, as a move to secure the endorsement of the international community.
The party, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, however, remarked that such a desperate move would not fool the global community.
Though the clash was symbolic, supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP and those of Buhari, with branded shirts, posters and other souvenirs, held demonstrations in an attempt to showcase the electoral values of the two presidential candidates.
The Buhari campaign organisation had, through a letter made available to LEADERSHIP Friday on Wednesday, alleged that certain Nigerians in the diaspora had allegedly been mobilised by the Presidency to organise a rally to embarrass Buhari at the venue.
True to the prediction, those opposed to Buhari, comprising mainly young men, yesterday carried placards with inscriptions: “Buhari Belongs to the Past”, “The Past Can’t Belong to our Children Today”, etc.
The London Metropolitan Police faced a hectic time trying to control the crowd as, hours after the anti-Buhari supporters started their rally, the APC London branch also appeared at the scene, praising Buhari and the party’s leaders.
Buhari’s loyalists held placards, one of which bore the inscription: “Buhari Will Fight Corruption”.
The groups maintained some distance from the venue of Buhari’s presentation on the topic: ‘Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition’. The event was chaired by a former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Gozney.
Elections must hold as scheduled – Buhari
During his speech at the occasion, Buhari observed that the 2015 general election in Nigeria was generating a lot of interest within and outside the country, and called on the federal government and other agencies involved in the conduct of the general elections to ensure that they are held as rescheduled.
“Given increasing global linkages, it is in our collective interests that the postponed elections should hold on the rescheduled dates; that they should be free and fair; that their outcomes should be respected by all parties; and that any form of extension, under whichever guise, is unconstitutional and will not be tolerated,” he said.
Buhari: My presidency is for prosperity, not adversity
Buhari further told the gathering that his presidency will eradicate corruption, saying, however, that his government, if elected, will promote prosperity and not adversity.
“Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration. First and foremost, we will plug the holes in the budgetary process.”
He pledged to strengthen anti-graft agencies, and imbue them with independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference.
“But I must emphasise that any war waged on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witch-hunt. I’m running for President to lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity.”
He also noted that the security situation in the country is worrisome and alarming, stating that “there is a genuine cause for worry, both within and outside Nigeria. Apart from the civil war era, at no other time in our history has Nigeria been this insecure”.
“Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals, displacing millions internally and externally, and at a time holding on to portions of our territory the size of Belgium. What has been consistently lacking is the required leadership in our battle against insurgency. I, as a retired general and a former head of state, have always known about our soldiers: they are capable, well trained, patriotic, brave and always ready to do their duty in the service of our country.”
He expresses regret that the government had so dragged its feet in the anti-terror war that it was now dependent on neighbours to bail it out.
“We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism,” he said.
Foreign endorsement unnecessary – PDP
Meanwhile, the PDP has described Buhari appearance at the Chatham House, as a move to secure the endorsement of the international community.
The party, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, however, remarked that such a desperate move would not fool the global community.
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