"Our flagbearer must be someone who is a unifier, bridge- builder, and not someone who bears ethno-religious bias.
Above all, he must embody a vision of a Nigeria for all.
Former Vice President and presidential aspirant on the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar, has counseled co-aspirant, Muhammadu Buhari on the qualities Nigerians expect from political leaders of their ilk in the 2015 contest.
In a statement issued to welcome Buhari to the race for their Party’s presidential flag in Abuja, yesterday, Atiku told his colleague that to qualify to fly APC’s flag, such an aspirant must be someone who is a unifier, bridge-builder and not someone who bears ethno-religious bias.
Said he: “I believe that the next president of our country, who by the grace of God will be produced by our great party, must be someone who is a unifier, bridge-builder and not someone who bears ethno-religious bias. Above all, he must embody a vision of a Nigeria for all.”
According to the statement titled: “Atiku Welcomes Buhari, Says He’s Committed To Free And Fair Presidential Primary”, Atiku said the task of rescuing Nigeria is a duty leaders of the APC are committed to and, “the more individuals are ready to be part of the mission to rescue the country, the better.”
“Nigeria has floundered for far too long. Our people are yearning for a change and we must listen to them before they lose faith in the ability of their leaders to revive the country.
“You will recall that in my declaration speech penultimate week, I did mention that my priority, if given the chance to run and serve as the President of Nigeria is addressing the issues of jobs creation and providing decent employment for Nigerians, especially the youths.
“I believe that it is only when we can provide decent jobs for our young people, that we can have a hope for the decent future for our country.
“It is also not in doubt that of recent, successive administrations have failed woefully in building the infrastructure that can promote a healthy economy: our education system is in shambles, public health system is in virtual comatose, we have very poor network of roads totally at variance with the wealth of a country that is the seventh oil producer in the world.
“I believe that the country has failed in these areas because of the excessive centralisation of functions and resources to the government at the centre. The government that the APC plans to lead in the next few months, by the grace of God, will be fully committed to devolution of powers and resources to the state governments in line with the manifesto of our great party. I also plan to march this resolve with a full commitment to ensuring transparency in all sectors of our national life.
“I am equally disturbed about the way our people have been divided along ethnic and religious lines and how we are steadily and dangerously losing a sense of community where every Nigerian can live together without mutual suspicion.
“I believe that the next president of our country, who by the grace of God will be produced by our great party, must be someone who is a unifier, bridge-builder and not someone who bears ethno-religious bias. Above all, he must embody a vision of a Nigeria for all.
“I have no doubt in my mind that we both share a common concern about rescuing our country from the deadly grip of the PDP and it is on this note that I do warmly welcome him on board in this very important national rescue mission. I look forward to meeting him in an open, free and fair contest for the ticket.”
Source: #Nigerian_Pilot.
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