Buhari: why I became a democrat

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari yesterday made a solemn promise to Nigerians -  that his administration will not betray them.

Besides, he spoke of his belief in multi-party democracy.

Gen. Buhari, who was receiving a  Taraba State delegation, led by the All Progessives Congress (APC) governorship  candidate, Senator Aisha Alhassan, said the people sacrificed a lot to achieve the success being celebrated across the country.

Acknowledging the fact that some people lost in the process, the President-elect said: “We will never betray the people because they have risked everything. Some even lost their lives in this cause to make sure that APC succeeds and that we have a leadership in place that they trust. That is what multi party democracy is all about.”

Gen. Buhari promised a broad-based government, saying: “I assure you that the government of the APC, when eventually put in place, will be a competent Nigerian government.”

Explaining his belief in multi-partly democracy, the president-elect said: “I will tell you what made me a multi-party democrat. In 1991, after coming out of detention, I was sitting at home and the Soviet Union collapsed.

“They were the world power fighting the western world. In technology, they were the first to go to space and they had intercontinental war heads than NATO. They had more sophisticated weapons, but something happened. There was confusion.

“Today, there’re 18 countries in the former Soviet Union. That was when I believed that multi-party democratic system is a superior form of governance and that is why I joined democracy.

“We have made a big stride this year and I assure you God willing, if we survive the next four years, Nigerians will be in a position to confidently raise their heads up and elect their own representatives and leaders.

“They will choose those they want as their representatives from local  government, states, to the centre. I will fight for free, fair and credible election because that is why I remained in politics. I thank you very much for the sacrifices you have made to make sure we succeeded.”

Gen. Buhari went on: “I think that 2015 will go down in Nigeria’s political history as a glorious year. Nigerians have deliberately understood what is multi party democracy. But we thank God for technology-PVC and card reader.

“If not this, luck we had with technology and the insistence of constituencies to make sure they are used, in two political zones where they were subverted, the people wanted to vote, but hey were not allowed to vote.

“They continued with what they used to do; retun to their party offices or their siting rooms, write the results, go to radio house and television house and announce the result and say whoever does not want the result should go to court.

“How many people can go to court when they are struggling to get the next day’s meal? Where will they get the millions to give to those Senior Advocates of Nigeria? I was able to do it because of the goodwill of Nigerians, which again demonstrated itself this year.

“People agreed that I am not a very rich man, but I was lucky that Nigerians believe in me and they put their strength together, voted and made sure that their votes count. I say thanks to the technology. Please continue to support those among you that you feel will go and work for your state and for the country.”

On the battle for Taraba governors, he said: “It was a battle well fought and I am very pleased that you have taken the honourable way out. According to the Nigerian constitution,  you go to court. I was there three times and ended up in the Supreme Court.

“Sometimes, people wonder why I tried so hard. I tried so hard because it is a system I believe in. I believe that multi-party democratic system is the best form of governance with a big caveat that election must be free and fair. Really, this is why I am in it. I was in APP.

“I joined partisan politics in April 2002 and on that date, at my ward, I said that those who knew me, and myself, following my career antecedent in the military, if people say that I’ll participate in partisan politics, people would not believe it and I will not also believe it.

“But I found myself in it and I never turned back. Within one year, APP gave me the ticket. There were governors, senators and much older people than me, but all the same, I got the ticket. I lost. I was in court for 30 months. In 2007, we tried to have a limited merger and became ANPP and, again, I participated and was told I lost.

“ I went to court for 20 months up to the Supreme Court and I felt that my party was not fair to me. While I was in court, the leadership of he party proceeded and took two marginal ministries in late Yar’Adua’s cabinet and an adviser.

For that disgraceful behavior by the party leadership, I left the party and we floated the CPC. Again, I attempted in 2011 and lost and, again, I was in court for about eight months and I contested now for the fourth time under APC, having successfully gone through with the merger of the three legacy parties.

“So, Aisha, don’t give up. You are younger and this is your first attempt. I contested three times and this is my fourth attempt. I hope that you succeed in the court. I am impressed by the quality of Taraba people you brought here. I think that for all I get and purpose, the whole of Taraba is here and I am very grateful for that inspite of your expensive shopping list .“You said you have gold, you have tantalite, you want your roads to be finished, you want agriculture. If you will, I think I am in trouble. Honestly, I hope you will win in the court.”

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Senator Aisha Alhasan, urged the President-elect to ensure a fair deal for Taraba State in his administration, adding that the state had been unfairly treated in the past.