CPC Ratifies Buhari as Presidential Flagbearer

Posted by admin Elections 2011, Headlines, Muhammadu Buhari (1983-85, 2015 - 2023) Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday night formally endorsed the former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate for the 2011 general elections.

In his acceptance speech shortly after his ratification, Buhari said he decided to dump his former party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) because of the unprincipled behaviour of its leaders during the 2007 general elections.

He described yesterday’s convention as a momentous one, which has paved the way for him to offer himself once again to serve Nigerians.

He expressed worry that after a dozen years on the leadership saddle, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to leave up to the expectations of Nigerians hence the clamour for change.

I am humbled by the spontaneous support I have received from the people since we began the election campaign, he said. On why he chose to leave the ANPP and form the CPC, Buhari said the leadership of ANPP between 2003 and 2007 exhibited unprincipled behaviour and act of betrayal against his presidential ambition.

The party leaders then appeared to be teleguided by the PDP. After our supporters were intimidated by the PDP thugs who snatched ballot boxes and forced the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig elections in a most blatant manner, the ANPP leadership still decided to join the PDP government and abandoned its supporters,” he said.

He said the most painful thing was that when he tried to contest the matter in court the same ANPP leadership pulled out of the case mid-way preferring instead to wine and dine with the opponent.

According to Buhari, it was because the ugly experience he had with the ANPP that made him and some of the supporters to come together to form the CPC to chat a new course.

He assured that the main reason for forming the party was not to satisfy his personal interest but a desire to contribute in salvaging the country from years of misrule.

I will continue on this course whatever the outcome of the forthcoming general election will Our main task is to work hard to flush out the PDP from power,” he added.

One of the major highlights of the CPC convention, which witnessed heavy security presence, was the election of new national officers of the party with the veteran journalist, Tony Momoh, being favoured to emerge as the party’s national chairman.wp_posts