President Muhammadu Buhari vowed yesterday to go tougher on corruption if he is re-elected in the February 16,2019 election. Buhari ,speaking at the flag off of his presidential campaign in Uyo,Akwa Ibom State, said that with him remaining in power ,the era of handouts for people who are not ready to work,is over.
National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said Buhari’s integrity has earned him global respect across the world leaders others who can’t enter the United States of America,in an apparent broadside at the pres idential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Also speaking at the rally,National leader of the APC,Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said Nigerians should not make the mistake of allowing PDP back into power. “Vote for your future and not that of corruption.They took 16 years and gave 16 years of darkness, if only they concentrated on one item like power, Nigeria would have not been in this mess. We are not bringing you (PDP) back,” he said. Buhari told the mammoth crowd at the Uyo Stadium that Nigerians would not regret voting for him if he wins the coming election He said that not only would he secure Nigeria,he would also “ stop corruption.” He added:” So, you better stay and work for a living because there is no more handouts.”
He said his focus would continue to be on security, economy and the fight against corruption. His words: “I like those who are challenging us at any level, and at any constituency to doubt our contributions towards our undertaking. “Firstly, the civil war in the North East has been really won in the sense that when we came, they were holding, I mean Boko Haram, about 17 local government areas in Borno and Yobe states. They are not holding physically any local government areas now. “They have resorted to indoctrinating young men and women, especially girls, dress them up in explosives and explode themselves in churches, mosques, market places and motor parks. I assure you that eventually, we are going to clear them off from our country. “The second thing is about economy.
Our population is over 60 per cent of young men that is 30 years and below. Our main problem is employment. We are very lucky, the two previous rainy seasons were good, and we’ve virtually achieved food security. We don’t import rice now. We are encouraging our farmers and we’ve regained food security.
“When I was around in uniform and much younger, I arrested former president, vice president, the governors, the ministers and told them that you are guilty until they can prove themselves innocent.
“I myself was arrested and detained. So, when I came in agbada, I decided to follow what this system accepts and that those who are corrupt, should be investigated and prosecuted.
“We are doing that and we will not stop. I assure you, we have collected properties , we’ve collected cash. We have established a single treasury account to put money that are accruing to the government into one account which can be traced and accounted for.
“Nigerians will be informed from time to time on the money we’ve recovered, and from who and how we are going to use to develop this country.
“ I assure you, in 2019, trust in us, we are going to secure this country. We are going to stop corruption. So, you better stay and work for a living because there is no more handouts. I thank you very much for organizing this.
“I assure you no Nigerian will regret voting us into office and we will continue to improve the situation-security, economy and fighting corruption.”
Comrade Oshiomhole said at the rally that Buhari stands head and shoulder above on the strength of his impeccable integrity.
He called the President “the one that is celebrated by fellow world leaders, the president who can go to America, and can stand with ex-President Obama and President Trump; not those who can’t get visa outside Nigeria. The one and only President Mohammadu Buhari.”
The taunt was perceived as a veiled reference to the protracted issue of a US visa for Atiku.
He said: “The only thing to speak on today before I perform my simple task is to say that this coming election, one of the issues that would form the basis of our campaign is the issue of character.
“And I noticed over the past 48 hours the opposition, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, they’ve decided to look for mud, wherever they could find, to throw at your person.
“The more they do it, the more the people laugh at them.
“Mr. President Nigerians know who you are, the world knows who you are; but Nigeria also knows who you are.
“I am happy that the PDP candidate cannot speak in certain parts of the world and there is nowhere you will go where you cannot speak.”
He also spoke on the statement by Atiku that he would sell some stakes in the NNPC with a view to getting money to fund Nigeria’s development projects.
He said: “the PDP candidate has already put Nigeria on notice that he is going to sell NNPC. Are we ready to sell NNPC? I believe the people of the South South where most of the oil is produced will not support a government whose policy is to privatise and take over our oil resources as the PDP candidate has promised. “
