Former Head of State and All Pro­gressives Congress (APC) leader, General Muhammadu Buhari, yes­terday, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, formally declared his intention to context next year’s presidential election on the platform of his party.
Buhari, at the declaration graced by APC governors, national officers, federal lawmak­ers, representatives different groups, cited the urgent need to rescue the ship of state that is adrift as reasons for throwing himself into the race.
The governors in attendance were Rotimi Amaechi, Raji Fashola, Tanko Al-Makura and Adams Oshiomhole, of Rivers, Lagos, Nasarawa and Edo states respectively.
National officers and leaders in attendance include, Engineer Babachir Lawal, Alhaji Ibrahim Jalo and George Moghalu, National Vice-chairman, North-East, National Youth Leader and Treasurer of the party respective­ly. Serving federal lawmakers on the party’s platform in attendance were Senators George Akume, Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Ashafa and George Akume.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Buhari, who was ushered onto the podium by erst­while Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chair­man, Chief Audu Ogbe, expressed concern over the security challenges facing the coun­try and the level of unemployment which he blamed on lack of capacity of the present ad­ministration.
“I humbly wish to present myself before you, before all of Nigeria and before God, seeking to be elected as APC’s Presidential candidate. Nigeria has been brought down by an unthinking government. We are deter­mined to stop them in their stride and rescue Nigeria.”
Buhari attributed the stunted growth in the economy to what he called massive decline in agricultural production, instability in power supply and comatose manufacturing sector.
“The economy continues to deteriorate while the federal government continue to give outrageous figures of phantom economic growth when industry and agriculture are in massive decline.”
He said that in 1999 when the ruling party came to office, Nigeria could boast of 4, 000 mega watts but expressed regret that it had dropped to 3,000 mega watts after govern­ment had injected about $20 billion. “When PDP came to power in 1999, Nigeria was generating about 4,000 M/W of electricity. After 15 years and $20 billion spent, we are generating between 3,000 – 4,000 M/W. No failure is more glaring than this. We in APC have resolved to bring change to Nigeria. We plan to do things differently”
Unveiling his programmes, the presiden­tial hopeful disclosed that attention would be given to employment generation, quality edu­cation for the youths, resucitation of industries and agriculture and the solid mineral sector to stimulate revenue earnings and employment generation.
Buhari also promised to restore the integ­rity of the public service and tackle endemic corruption.
“We plan to put priority on· Protection of lives and property.· Pursuing economic poli­cies for shared prosperity and immediate at­tention on youth employment. Quality educa­tion for development, modernity and social mobility.· Agricultural productivity for taking millions out of poverty and ensuring food se­curity.
“Reviving Industry to generate employ­ment and “make things” not just to remain hawkers of other peoples’ goods;developing solid minerals exploitation which will sub­stantially attract employment and revenue for government”
“Restoring honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best; tackling corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption. Nigeria is a country where stealing is not cor­ruption.
“Last, (but not the least or final) respecting the constitutional separation of powers be­tween the executive, legislatures and judiciary and respecting the rights of citizens.
Earlier in their goodwill messages, Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi and former national chairman of the PDP, Audu Ogbeh said the main opposition party was deter­mined to work as one family to unseat the PDP.
Rotimi said: “Change is in the air. Today, APC can boast of 14 governors. The gover­nors are determined to work together for this change.
“In our meetings, we have said whoever emerges as the party candidate, all of us will work to deliver.
“You know General Muhammadu Buhari is someone they don’t have in their party. If they have, let them show us someone like Bu­hari. APC is the alternative.

Buhari: I will rescue Nigeria