President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received Expression of Interest and Nomination forms and reiterated his administration’s determination to continue on the path of building a strong, virile and corrupt-free Nigeria.
The president spoke after receiving the forms bought for him by the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassador Network (NCAN), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,
He observed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would now be stronger as the weakest politicians had left the party.
President Buhari, who was referring to the defections that engulfed the party in recent times, said those who left the party could not place national interest above their selfish interest in line with the objectives of the administration.
The president who highlighted the achievements of his administration in the past three years, said corruption has been fighting back from both within and outside the administration.
“These achievements over the past three years had not been easy. Corruption has been fighting back from both within and outside but we held our ground.
“Today, I’m pleased to say the weakest amongst us those whose selfish expectations did not align with our patriotic zeal had exited our party.
“We are now a party of strong and patriotic individuals who are ready, willing and able to continue on this journey of building, secured, self- sufficient and corruption-free Nigeria.
“I am honoured today to receive this nomination form which your members from all over the country contributed to buy.
“It is a gesture from an association of patriotic Nigerians which I was made to believe comprises of over three million members which believed in our principle of bringing positive things to Nigeria.’’
President Buhari who expressed gratitude for being honoured by the NCAN said that his vision to rescue the nation began in 2002.
The President, who narrated his political history, said his decision to contest for the presidential seat in 2007, was informed by the sorry and hopeless state the nation had found itself in 2006.
He added that his decision was predicated on the state of hopelessness in the country where selfish interest of elected leaders superseded national interest.
President Buhari, however, condemned the way and manner the 2007 general election was handled, saying the result of the election was a disgrace to the nation.
He thanked the leadership and members of NCAN who contributed part of their meagre resources to buy the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.
The Deputy Chairman, Board of Trustees of the NCAN, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said the association is a network of young Nigerians in various fields of endeavour who had been keeping tab of the policies, programmes and projects of the Buhari administration.
He said the association was doing this with a view to making an informed contribution towards the growth of a virile and stable country.
According to him, in spite all the challenges, the Buhari administration has delivered and continues to deliver on its promises, and other matters arising in the course of governance.
“From the massive re-establishment of security of life and property by reclaiming the territorial integrity of our country even in the face of threat from within, to the redirection and strengthening of our economy, by increased productive capacity in agriculture and financial prudence even in the face of an almost negative balance sheet in 2015.
“The massive infrastructural development whilst growing our reserves.
“He has also reined in systemic corruption by firmly enforcing even erstwhile policies, which no one had the courage or the strength of character to enforce, be it the TSA, the IPPSA, the EGP, the operating freedom of law enforcement, in dutiful compliance with the laws of our land. The list is endless.
“Nigerians for the first time in many years could see a leader who painstakingly took decisions solely on the bases of national interest, above his or anyone else’s.
“A leader who belongs to all and behooving to our country and to God only, who in HIS infinite mercy brought our president back from the brink of death and restored him to strength and vigour.’’
He said the association, whose network seeks to consolidate these gains, has decided to contribute its intellect, and little earnings towards ensuring that the president was encouraged to continue with his good works to Nigeria.
“It is on account of the resolve of these ambassadors that they proceeded to obtain the nomination form for the president from the All Progressives Congress, to encourage Mr President to seek to be re-elected for another term to help consolidate the work he is doing,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the handing over of the APC Presidential Nomination Form by the National Coordinator, Members of the Board of Trustees of the Consolidation Ambassadors Network of Nigeria to the president.
