Chidi Samuel|
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked aggrieved aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress to be vigilant and be mindful of the choices they make ahead of the 2019 general election as those who squandered the country’s commonwealth were still around with enormous wealth.
The president warned the aspirants to be vigilant and circumspect in making choices as the future will only be salvaged by those who love Nigeria.
In a statement on Wednesday by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President made the statement at a dinner with the APC Aspirants Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday organised to calm frayed nerves over the outcome of party primaries across the states.
“Those who mismanaged the resources of the country are still very much around, with incredible wealth,” the President said.
According to Adesina, Buhari said the primary motivation to contest elections should be to improve the country, and not for pecuniary reasons
He, therefore, urged them to remain faithful to the country and hold fast on integrity as “there will be more opportunities to serve along the way.”
“We must maintain our faith in the country,’’ he told the coalition of party members who contested the primaries.
The President said he contested presidential elections three times before coming to power in 2015, adding that Providence will always pave the way for the just, committed and patient politician who wanted to truly serve the country.
“I spoke with the APC party chairman almost every other day, at least for an hour during the primaries. And sometimes, we met for two and half hours on ensuring internal democracy during the primaries,’’ the President said.
He pointed out that in spite of all efforts to appease everyone and give them a chance at the polls, some aspirants were still not treated fairly.
“I urge you to stay faithful if your objective is to serve the country. I came back to power in this agbada to convince Nigerians to make sacrifices that the country needs now for a better future,’’ he added.
The leader of the APC Aspirants Forum, Yusuf Banki, in his remark said the network of 7,000 members will work to ensure Buhari’s victory at the polls in 2019.