General Muhammadu Buhari emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Primaries yesterday.
He got 3,430 votes to defeat other aspirants; Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso (974 votes); former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar (954 votes); Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha (624 votes) and the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah (10 votes) with 16 votes recorded as invalid.
During the National Convention, Buhari gave a speech many believe landed him the ticket. Here is a full text of the speech:
My Dear Delegates,
As you gather for our convention, please remember that history, change and the hopes of Nigeria are there with you. They are there to ask you to perform according to your best judgment and patriotic conscience. I also ask you to do the same.
We seek a new Nigeria. It starts with us. It starts today. I have placed myself before you seeking your help to nominate me as your standard bearer for our progressive party, APC.
Personal ambition does not drive me in this regard. I seek to be the next president of our beloved nation because I believe I have something to offer Nigeria at this time of multiple crises. Insecurity, corruption, and economic collapse have brought the nation low. Time is past due that we work together to lift Nigeria up. I am ready to lead Nigeria to its rightful future.
I have always served Nigeria to the best of my ability.
I have always tried to give more to the nation than it has given me. This is the principle of service that has guided my public life. Thus, I am not a rich person. I can’t give you a pocketful of dollars or naira to purchase your support. Even if I could, I would not do so. The fate of this nation is not up for sale.
What I will give you, and this nation is all of my strength, commitment, sweat and toil in the service of the people. What I can give you is my all.
I do not intend to rule Nigeria. I want to democratically govern it with your help. I seek a Nigeria where Christians and Muslims may practise their faiths in peace and security; a Nigeria that is just and where corruption no longer trespasses into our institutions and national behavior and a Nigeria where our diversity could be used for our national prosperity.
Nigeria is our home. Let us now turn it into the great nation we know it can and should be.
I thank you all
Muhammadu Buhari (RTD) GCFR
Leave a Reply