
The
party said this to clear the insinuation of some Nigerians about the
presence of Buhari at the recent flag-off of the centenary celebration
at the Presidential Villa, Abuja along with other former heads of state.
Buhari
was seen holding hands with President Goodluck Jonathan when both of
them were on their way to lit the historic centenary torch to kick-off
events lined up for the celebration.
Nigerians saw the presence
of Buhari as unusual at the presidential villa among other former rulers
of the country, and also to participate in such an event led by the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government because Buhari since PDP
occupied the presidential villa in 1999 to date has never been in
attendance of the council of state meeting where follow former heads of
state address national issues.
His party, CPC, has come out to
clear the insinuations of Nigerians about the presence of Buhari at the
flag –H of the centenary celebration events as the country clocks 100
years in 2014 as a nation-state.
The party’s national publicity
secretary, Engr Rotimi Fashakin told Vanguard that Buhari has been a
true patriot who had laid down his life for the unity of the country
turning the Nigerian civil war in 1967-1970, his doggedness in the fight
against corruption during his stay in power as the head of state and
fight against Chadian invasion, of some Nigerian villages in Northern
and occupation Nigeria.
Fashakin said: “Gen Muhammadu is not the
typical politician that believes in making enemies totally; he has
never said President Jonathan is his enemy, they only contested a
position together in 2011 election and that is all. Anything that
concerns Nigeria, you will find Gen Buhari there.
You talk about
a quintessential patriot that is Gen Muhammadu Buhari for you. He has
fought a civil war to keep this nation together, meaning that he risked
his life in keeping the Nigerian state together.
“When he was
General officer commanding the Chadians invaded 19 Nigerians villages
and occupied them. Gen Buhari and in word aside another General saluted
and showered encomium sought and got permission and drove away this
Chadians, and not only driving them away, he drove them 5o km into
Chadian territory.
He has also held juicy appointments in
Nigeria to help, and when he declared in2011 he said that he never took
one kobo belonging to the Nigerian nation for himself. Since he made
that statement nobody has been able to controvert him.
“So when
Nigerian is celebrating centenary anniversary, despite all the tempest
by irresponsible leaders that have held sway of this nation and a civil
war of 42 months ethno-religious sentiment by some political leaders,
that union still remain intact, why should Gen Buhari not be there to
celebrate that 100 years.
He said the party is not bothered by
the views by critics about Buhari presence at the centenary occasion,
“We as a party and our leader, Gen Buhari do not give a hoot. What Gen
Buhari is concerned about is Nigeria being celebrated, and has to be
there.
Gen Buhari ruled the country for 20 months meritoriously,
also he was a former head of state and a member of the councils of
state, and he is a state man.
“He is not just a leader of our
party but naturally he will be invited to take part in such function,
and is not an indication of aligning with PDP, but showed up there
because Nigeria was involved, and he cannot withdraw his participation
from where Nigeria is celebrated,” Fashakin stated.