Why ACF endorses Buhari osundefender.org/?p=206257 In the face of recent endorsement of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, by Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in the forthcoming presidential election, elder statesman-cum-legal luminary and former Deputy Senate President, Abubakar Mamman Danmusa, has revealed why it was necessary ACF threw its weight behind Buhari. Danmusa said that the erstwhile Head of State was endorsed on the basis that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse and there is no sectional coloration about it. He spoke to ANDY ASEMOTA on the merit of the endorsement and what it portends for Nigeria. Excerpts: What do you have to say on the recent endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari by Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) for next month presidential election? Really, the parties have fielded their candidates and they made their home work. You know, the chairman of ACF and former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie, said ACF has endorsed Buhari, but they denied. But now, having seen the candidates, the deterioration of security situation and the sufferings, more about the economy in view of the price of oil which has gone down terribly and the way Nigerians are suffering, I think it is not because they come from the North that they endorsed him. In 2011, they did not endorse him because perhaps they were of the opinion that Jonathan should be given a chance to prove himself. Now, for four years, it is nothing but disaster after disaster. Nigeria, which used to have respect all over the world, is now the laughing stock. Certainly, something ought to be done to stop the situation because, God forbid, if Nigeria breaks up, the whole of Africa will be affected. You can see with the war in Syria and Iraq how Europe is contending with immigration challenges on a daily basis. If Nigeria, with its vast population, explodes, certainly all neighbouring countries will be in trouble. Is there any hope? It is not a question about Buhari or Jonathan but the question of stability of Nigeria. For the first time in the history of South South, they have endorsed Buhari and they are serious and if they do things, they go all out. They (Buhari and his supporters) are in mobilization process, like what took place last week in Osun State where they walked for three kilometres just to mobilize people to clean Nigeria. You see, it is not the question of a northern organisation endorsing Buhari. It is a question of the survival of this country. What about Ohanaeze? Long, long ago, it had endorsed Jonathan. So, if that is the right thing for Ohanaeze to do, then it is not wrong for Arewa Consultative Forum to back Buhari. I think people should be honest with themselves. Jonathan is a disaster. I am not with Buhari. I said I will not join his party, but this time round, I am campaigning for him that he should be elected. Not on the basis that he is a northerner, no, but on the basis that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse. Only God knows what will happen. So, whether Buhari comes from where (ever), he is the best alternative we have now and there is nothing wrong for Arewa Consutative Forum to endorse him. I think it would have been Ohanaeze which should be condemned. Earlier, it had endorsed Jonathan; that is partisan but ACF, after a deep reflection, decided to endorse Buhari. We want to save Nigeria. When he (Buhari) won (APC presidential primary), I did not congratulate him. If he wins February 14 poll, I will not congratulate him. I will only wish him good luck but I think Buhari is the best thing to happen to us at this time. There are so many issues on which we disagree but I think now, he is the best thing that can happen to Nigeria. Our army had been playing leading role in Africa, but now we have to go to local hunters for help. It is a disgrace that the insurgents have taken over virtually everything belonging to us. So, what are you talking about? To leave Nigeria in the hands of this President? I think somebody must be crazy. So, I think Arewa Consultative Forum is right.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 07:44:07 +0000
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