Even as military head of state, we acted under the law -Buhari
From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
• Buhari
Photo: Sun News publishing
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There was no paper in Kaduna before I left for Lagos . But I have got the paper but I have not read it. There is no iota of truth about the report.  If you could recall from mega party to mega movement to National Democratic Initiative, to National Democratic Movement, all these were efforts we were making to try to form a coalition against the ruling party. I believe the talk is continuing even other 22 groups are coming to CPC. Another 41 associations say they are going with another group. The important thing about this is that we are still talking. So by the end of next month, when we are supposed to have conducted the primaries and the INEC have the names of those who are to contest for the national election, all these talks would have completed.

So the question that I rejected the former governor of Lagos state as my running mate is really not true. I think the paper wants to force us to hear the other side of the story.

On merger arrangement
When you go into your archive you will know that the party, CPC, gave a statement that the party would not fuse with any party. But we prefer to discuss with groups of parties for any type of alliance that would identify and discuss with kind of alliance and then we negotiate and then we form the alliance. We hope to do that by the end of December. I think by that time, INEC must have received all the names of those who are going to participate in all the elections from House of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and the presidential.

CPC and Northern Leaders consensus candidate arrangement
Because CPC refused to be part of PDP definition of leadership in the country, that is why they accuse us of being a lone ranger. Our constituency is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So what the PDP is doing about zoning that is creating dichotomy between the north and the south is the PDP’s problem and not CPC’s problem. We have made that clear so many time.

This is what I am trying to tell you. It is PDP affair. Our constituency is the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not a group of northern Nigeria . Let me make this final explanation. I saw some political sense in what the so called Northern Leaders did in 1998 and 1999.
1993 election was a free and fair election. And this election was a Muslim/Muslim ticket. This is significant because either religion or tribe didn’t come in. And (MKO) Abiola, may his soul rest in perfect peace, won the election with his running mate, Ambassador Babangana Kingibe from the North East. But that election was annulled. Subsequently, Abiola, you know, was arrested and he died in detention. And the leadership then, I was not in politics then, thought that, there was a raw deal with the south west. But when they went to pick (Olusegun) Obasanjo, the leaders’ concern was the south west. They just did it on their own. From there, that is where they institutionalise north south dichotomy. So it is a PDP problem and they better accept it. If you can get a copy of their constitution, it is there. So don’t keep on harassing CPC for PDP problem.

Do you have faith in Jonathan against 2011?
Well, I will tell you some of the things I observed. First, when (Goodluck) Jonathan was sworn-in as President, he has been a Vice President, Acting President and then President. He went to the United States and met President (Barack) Obama.  He identified some problems which every Nigerian that is following political events agreed with him. Insecurity in the country- physical insecurity. Second, the issue of free and fair election, because the stability of this country depends on free and fair election next year. Third, unemployment and the infrastructure of the country led by the PDP in the last 12 years is nothing to write home about.


He made a promise and when he came back, he said he was going to do them. Fourth, when Jega’s name was submitted to him to become the Chairman of the INEC, he never knew Professor Jega. He approved it and forwarded it to the National Assembly for approval. Fifth, when INEC asked for money, he approved it. And sixth, when the election law was sent to him, he sent it to the National Assembly - never mind that he asked for some modification later.
With this trend, to be fair to the President, he tried to convince Nigerians and the people outside that he intends to run a free and fair election, even if himself is participating in the election. This is my own personal opinion and this is my personal observation. I may be wrong.

Why in the race after two attempts?
You mentioned that I contested in 2003 and in 2007 and that why I have not thrown in the towel. It is my conviction, or rather, I am a believer in one Nigeria . And I am the generation that went through all the problems this country had from January 1966 to date. Political and military leadership were almost wiped out. There was a coup and counter coup. It led to a civil war. After coup and counter coup, I was in problem. I, myself was detained for more than three years. But I believe in this country. And I believe I have so much investment in this country in terms of political suffering. By my profession, having gone through all this destabilization and so on, again, having been a governor, a Minister and later Head of State, I just can’t sit and do nothing. I then joined politics at least with the belief that I can use my position, at least, to impose some restrictions on the reckless politics of Nigeria. And my feeling was strengthened in 1991 by what happened to the Soviet Union . And I said it many times that the Soviet Union in the 20th century collapsed without being solidified. Now, they are about 18 Republics.

This proved to me conclusively that, by my own assessment, multi party democracy is the best governance. And the biggest caveat is the free and fair election. And the bottom line now is CPC. Free and fair election is the answer. Let the elite go and deliver their constituencies for goodness sake. They are the problem of Nigeria. Let them go and deliver their constituencies. Let us persuade the elite that Nigeria is the issue. Nothing else. Let them register, let them vote and let them ensure their votes count. And whatever happens to them is their problem. Not to vote and complain, we will ever remain poor in a very, very rich country.
Everybody knows that what I fought for, one, is security. Security was physically ensured. What we are saying in the CPC is that security must be guaranteed. All this stealing must be stopped. The government of CPC will very effective at any level. Nobody is going to be stronger than the party.

Generational power shift
That is where we want a free and fair election. And that is where I told you that Nigerian elites should try to take the fate of their country seriously. Let them goand deliver their constituencies democratically. Educate them, allow them to choose whoever they want to choose. And even Nigerian constitution says, “all Nigerians” of any gender as described by the constitution. From 18 years and above. And if the constitution allows me, then why should anybody harass me about my age? And when the constitution allows an age bracket between 18 years and above, what then stops young men from contesting? Nobody stops them. But let the election be free and fair. That is my problem.

Are you comfortable with INEC preparation for 2011?
Well, I have told you what they want us to know through the press. The money they asked for was given, the time extension has been given. They said they have ordered the machines that would come about six weeks time. Now their problem is about the amendment of the constitution which is because of the change in the timing or because of the change in their own programme. So we in the CPC and those who are in other parties that are going to choose candidates, we want to see a firm INEC programme out. We are very happy in the CPC that the election has been shifted to April next year. So we have about four months. And I think any serious party, old or new, four months is enough for them to make their case.

So far we have been working under documents like the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria out of which the INEC Act came out. We are supposed to act within the laws. And I beg you the press guys to teleguard the INEC to enforce the law. This is because without the enforcement of the document, the issue of transparency, free and fair election may be compromised. Issue of integrity of persons who want to contest election is there. In his country, there a lot of documentations, and laws and so on.  But people ignore them. And you the press are trying your best. But I believe there is the need to keep on reminding the people about the law always.
There is nothing on which there is no law in this country. If you break the law, it is deliberate by the elites. If you follow the law, it is because of the good nature of Nigerians.

Can you repeat your achievemnts as Millitary Head of State as a civilian President?
Thank you so much that you understand I operated under a different circumstance then. But even then if you follow our activities when we were there, we made the laws and enforced. I know we executed a few people, we jailed a few people including some of your colleagues, but we did that within the law.
We didn’t close a single institution and deny thousands of people job. We didn’t do it. Myself and late Tunde (Idiagbon), we didn’t do it that way. We made the law and anybody who dared the law we dared him. That was then. Please, you can go to the records and you will find that there. Both of us we fought corruption virtually from the country in our time. Now Nigerians know better. And probably, you will give us another opportunity to come back and make a difference under different circumstance.

Why still answering General?
I earned Generalship. If you could recall, all those who became Heads of State jumped from Colonel or Lt. Colonel to General. I was a Major General and I was removed as a Major General. I never promoted myself.

Spread of CPC
CPC is not only in the North. The National Secretary is from Lagos state. May be they are not working hard. We are also in the south east and in the south south. We have got representation. What you probably mean is the Buhari organisation which was inaugurated in 2002. And we have offices in every state of this country. Realy we have been on the field. You can only rightly say that we have more supporters in the north than every other place. I agree with you. But I am aware that we are all over the country and that, as I have told you in the course of this interview, the time extension of election will help us between now and next year. We need the time especially as the new party. We will be able to be on ground to conduct our campaign from January to March.

Beaf:

How can a fcking kidnapper claim to have acted under the law? Nigeria is full of fools that make reckless statements. How can a man hold a nation of millions at gunpoint and claim to have acted within the law?

People like Buhari and IBB should be in jail for [size=14pt]treason[/size], not contesting in the democratic Nigeria that they forcefully held to ransome.

Muza:

U are such a sycophant, to u as long as is not GEJ then its rubbish.We all know GEJ badluck is a faliure and will always remain a faliure since he has surrounded himself with thieves and is backing election riggers and is resorting to using undemocratic means to clinch his party's ticket.
Badluck is not popular,he is corrput and married to an even more corrupt wife,he is clueless,incompetent,uninspiring,visionless,a spendtrift and badluck for Nigeria.

Every honest nigerian and even the not so honest ones know that Gen Buhari is the last hope and 2011 is the last chance for us to get it right.

Shagari’s regime (1979-1983), incurred Buhari’s wrath when it decided to investigate the [size=14pt]US$2.8 billion [/size] that disappeared from the Midland Bank, London account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation, (NNPC), during General Obasanjo’s era as military head of state that preceded Shagari’s. Dr. Olusola Saraki, Turaki of Ilorin, was the majority party leader of the Senate at the time and he headed the Senate Committee set up to trace the stolen money after some three years of clamour for such an investigation by members of the civil society. [size=14pt]The money was traced to the Midland Bank London branch fixed account of Buhari[/size], Obasanjo’s appointee as military head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. The Committee’s report was presented to the Senate during the tail end of Shagari’s regime in 1983, so the House decided to deal with the matter soon after the 1983 general elections.

Beaf:

Why take it so personally? Are you Buhari himself or just a joker?

I noticed you didn't attempt to defend him of my charges that he is a kidnapper who held Nigeria to ransome at gunpoint. That is a treasonable crime in case you don't know. Nigeria has rapidly advanced beyond the primitive politics of yesteryears and there is no space for violent men like Buhari and IBB; men with such disdain for the law that they could hold a nation of millions hostage without a blot on their consciences.

Both Buhari and IBB also robbed the national coffers during the periods they held the country hostage. So whats the difference between them and armed robbers? Yet you say Buhari is the last hope for honest Nigerians?
Seriously, that's a story for fools:

http://www.nigeriaplus.com/is-the-north-capable-of-giving-us-quality-leaders-by-naiwu-osahon/

Muza:

Ok Mr Ima Niboro,I dont see anything wrong with the way you defend badluck on this forum wheather the issue raised is defendable or not,cos i know all that you do is not your wish,you are just doing that to justify your huge paycheck.I pity you so much cos i know you must be living with a very troubled consience.

I say with evry ounce of patriotism i can muster,i dont see anything wrong in trying to smuggle a thief,a looter,a destroyer back to his country to face charges of corruption,that was a last resort.Even our democratic model,the USA does those kinds of dirty jobs CIA and mecenaries.
Or do u prefer as your boss badluck is doin,by turnin a blind eye and even mingling and surrounding himself with very corrupt Nigerians,i'm some cases he facilitates for them to be cleared of the corruption charges,in other cases even without them being cleared he facilitates for them to be appointed party chairmen.
Sometimes i wonder if some people think with their anu.s,

That cases about that money being deposited in buhari's for account is pepper soup joint tale,a mere fiction.Your boss badluck knows that,thats why hes not even using it againts he opponent. That amount of money you mentioned,is by no means a small amount,Buhari cant steal that and people will just keep quiet. Even you boss's boss,OBJ,ddnt bring that up in 2003 nd 2007 cos he knows people wont buy that cheap lie.
Mr Ima Niboro,pls ask you boss which MEND attacked Afren and Mobil,is it the real one,or the fake one,or the not so real one or . . .

Buhari still remains the most credible of all the presidential candidates and he is the one most capable of fighting corruption.

Seriously,things are not getting any better,badluck has not shown any sign that he is different frm past looters, we need to take our destiny in our own hands and vote PDP out.

but Buhari who you paint in such glowing colours, still agreed to serve under such a man as the chairman of PTF. [size=14pt]As chairman of PTF, he made Salihijo Ahmad's Afriproject the sole consultant for monitoring and assessing the value of contracts. Afriproject consortium was so corrupt that at the inception of  Abdulsalami's regime, fearful of exposure, the sole consultant committed suicide in his office. When the books of PTF were opened, the can of worms was so much that Haruna Adamu said he felt sickened by it.[/size] One body determined the contracts to be awarded, the payments to be made and whether the contracts had been satisfied.

Muza:

@beef,the source you are quoting for this dubious and malicious pieces of false information doesnt mean anything.

Anyone can just write an article about anybody.


Pls tell why you have this unflinchin support for badluck and will never see anything wrong with him,you can even admit the mistakes he makes sometime,nobody is above mistakes,pls tell my why u are blindly and foolishly supporting him,you come up to every thread at the mere mention of GEJ,why,pls why,Is it because you are Mr IMA NIBORO?,ok i get it,u are just doin you job

Mr Ima Niboro please advise your boss well if not he'll make naija worst than we presently know it.Think about the generation yet unborn.Thankyou.

Muza:

@beef,the source you are quoting for this dubious and malicious pieces of false information doesnt mean anything.

Anyone can just write an article about anybody.

Pls tell why you have this unflinchin support for badluck and will never see anything wrong with him,you wont even admit the mistakes he makes sometime,nobody is above mistakes,pls tell me why u are blindly and foolishly supporting him,you come up to every thread at the mere mention of GEJ,why,pls why,Is it because you are Mr IMA NIBORO?,ok i get it,u are just doin you job

Mr Ima Niboro please advise your boss well if not he'll make naija worst than we presently know it.Think about the generation yet unborn.Thankyou.

Muza:

i thought hypocracy and sycophancy had limits,Mr Ima Niboro u dont quit?,even when it is glaring and obvious thats you wud neva win? I've told you and i will keep telling you and i wont get tired of telling you that i wont buy that cheap propaganda and smear campagin.

Still you havnt to told me and so many curious NLers why you are the Minister of defence of the corrupt,clueless and incompetent GEJ badluck married to an even more corrupt wife who if we were in a serious country should be somewhr in kirikiri or yola.

Badluck is not popular,he will neva be and you know dat,wat kind of human being will live in such self denial,to put it mildly that person must be D.A.F.T
I dont know why some people dont have shame and cant accept the truth.? Its a pity

[size=33pt]Rig2011elections_and_die[/size]

Sky Blue:

Honestly speaking at the rate things are going I really don't mind considering Buhari out of the current list of presidential hopefuls. You can say whatever you want to say about the man but out of the list of aspirants he seems to be the one with the most integrity (my view).

PhysicsQED:

Buhari is scum. Anyway isn't this the same clown who said that if an Igbo man became president he would leave Nigeria and never come back? And this guy would parade himself as some sort of Nigerian statesman. How can you be blatantly prejudiced against 20% of the population of your country but then claim you should be elected to govern it?

mens dept:

Based on what?

Hellooooooooo, we arent in 1983

Sky Blue:

Honestly speaking at the rate things are going I really don't mind considering Buhari out of the current list of presidential hopefuls. You can say whatever you want to say about the man but out of the list of aspirants he seems to be the one with the most integrity (my view).

PhysicsQED:

Buhari is scum. Anyway isn't this the same clown who said that if an Igbo man became president he would leave Nigeria and never come back? And this guy would parade himself as some sort of Nigerian statesman. How can you be blatantly prejudiced against 20% of the population of your country but then claim you should be elected to govern it?

Jakumo:

No Nigerian election could ever be considered complete without former Nigerian military tyrant and Islamic fundamentalist Ayatollah Buhari issuing his usual repertoire of blatant lies, LOSING at the polls by wide margins, and then launching yet more in an unbroken series of FAILED lawsuits protesting the resolute will of the Nigerian electorate.

Ayatollah Buhari is the quitessential rodeo clown, whose sole remaining purpose in life is to entertain a voting public that will NEVER allow such a profoundly evil cretin to accomplish anything more significant than squander the last few million dollars that he looted from the national treasury during his dark reign as Nigeria's inquisitor in chief, in a FUTILE quest for high office that will consistently elude him until he dies of sheer frustration, insanity or both.

Do the right thing, Ayatollah Buhari, and shoot yourself in the head.  Lucifer is getting really impatient with your antics, and it is WAY past your dead time. 

hardywaltz:

Buhari, Buhari, Buhari, if i slap that your mouth.

Beaf:

How can a fcking kidnapper claim to have acted under the law? Nigeria is full of fools that make reckless statements. How can a man hold a nation of millions at gunpoint and claim to have acted within the law?

People like Buhari and IBB should be in jail for [size=14pt]treason[/size], not contesting in the democratic Nigeria that they forcefully held to ransome.

Osama10:

These people are just so desperate now that they are just talking from both sides of their mouth.

haka_nai:

please since you know so much about his militant camp of Taliban, can you tell us to what section he belongs i mean you have should have the details right?Lastly because of your serious ignorance ayatollah is a qualification attributed to Shiites and not Sunni which Mr Buhari belongs .Sunnis never used the word Ayatollah!!!

Beaf:

Are you threatening the life of the President? You're a sick man, but I'm sure the SSS has the cure.

Jakumo:

Evidently, sir, you have mistaken me for someone who gives a flying phuck about the particular religious cult to which Osama "Baboon" Buhari belongs.  As it turns out, I am not in the least bit concerned how you, or anyone else, characterize my widely-held observations about that thieving savage Buhari who, after installing himself as dictator by military force in the late 1980s, gleefully herded innocent multitudes into dungeons where many died or were killed, while presiding over the most repressive police state ever inflicted upon Nigeria till date.  Ayatollah Buhari WILL rot in hell, and will NEVER again taste power until that time is due.

Oh alright then, just to please you I will respectfully refer to Ayatollah Baboon Buhari as a semi-literate sadistic torturer renowned for publicly ululating his mad expectation that Nigeria should goose-step back to the 18th Century when entire nations were subjugated by maniacal religious fanatics who committed genocide in the name of imaginary supreme beings sitting up in the clouds, even as they pillaged national wealth with reckless abandon.   Are you happy now, sir ?