Frontiline All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, today appealed to the sense of patriotism of delegates to the party convention in Lagos, which will determine the choice of flagbearer at next February’s election.
He told them in a letter he had no money with which to motivate them, and even if he had, would not give them because the fate of Nigeria is not up for sale.
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“I can’t give you a pocketful of dollars or naira to purchase your support,” he stated.
“I seek to be the next president of our beloved nation because I believe I have something to offer Nigeria at this time of multiple crises. Insecurity, corruption, and economic collapse have brought the nation low. Time is past due that we work together to lift Nigeria up. I am ready to lead Nigeria to its rightful future.”
He reminded them he has always served Nigeria to the best of his ability, and tried to give more to the nation than it has given him.
“This is the principle of service that has guided my public life,” he said, adding that he is not a rich person.
“What I will give you, and this nation is all of my strength, commitment, sweat and toil in the service of the people. What I can give you is my all.”
He called on the delegates to remember that history, change and the hopes of Nigeria are at the convention with them. “They are there to ask you to perform according to your best judgment and patriotic conscience,” he said. “I also ask you to do the same.”
Text of the letter:
LETTER TO THE DELEGATES OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, APC, DURING THE NATIONAL DELEGATES CONVENTION.
My Dear Delegates:
As you gather for our convention, please remember that history, change and the hopes of Nigeria are there with you. They are there to ask you to perform according to your best judgment and patriotic conscience. I also ask you to do the same.
We seek a new Nigeria. It starts with us. It starts today. I have placed myself before you seeking your help to nominate me as your standard bearer for our progressive party, APC.
Personal ambition does not drive me in this regard. I seek to be the next president of our beloved nation because I believe I have something to offer Nigeria at this time of multiple crises. Insecurity, corruption, and economic collapse have brought the nation low. Time is past due that we work together to lift Nigeria up. I am ready to lead Nigeria to its rightful future.
I have always served Nigeria to the best of my ability. I have always tried to give more to the nation than it has given me. This is the principle of service that has guided my public life. Thus, I am not a rich person. I can’t give you a pocketful of dollars or naira to purchase your support. Even if I could, I would not do so. The fate of this nation is not up for sale.
What I will give you, and this nation is all of my strength, commitment, sweat and toil in the service of the people. What I can give you is my all.
I do not intend to rule Nigeria. I want to democratically govern it with your help. I seek a Nigeria where Christians and Muslims may practise their faiths in peace and security; a Nigeria that is just and where corruption no longer trespasses into our institutions and national behavior and a Nigeria where our diversity could be used for our national prosperity.
Nigeria is our home. Let us now turn it into the great nation we know it can and should be.
