The emergence, yesterday, of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) as the presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 general elections has been described as an unmistakable quit notice to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Congratulating Buhari, who picked the APC ticket after beating his four challengers with a wide margin at the APC Presidential Primary in Lagos, Rivers APC said: “APC was set up to rescue and salvage our nation from the inept leadership of President Jonathan and PDP. We are happy that this dream is coming true, as indicated by the emergence of General Buhari as the APC flag-bearer. This attests to the seriousness of APC to tackle headlong the menace of insecurity, undemocratic practices, corruption and maladministration which are the hallmarks of the outgoing government of President Jonathan. APC couldn’t have made a better choice than this well-respected icon of integrity.

“That President Jonathan’s administration has brought Nigeria to its knees through its high-tech corruption is to say the obvious. Under this unfortunate administration, Nigeria has never had it so bad, being divided alongside tribal, class and religious lines by a government that lacks vision and mission. Its unprecedented undemocratic credentials include the imposition of unpopular and disreputable corrupt politicians, witch-hunting of political opponents that makes the dictatorial Abacha regime look like a saint, production of millions of youths for the labour market and endangering their lives through unscrupulous advertisements and recruitment into non-existing jobs, looting of our common patrimony with impunity and exhibition of high-handedness, uncommon in a democratic culture. Indeed, President Jonathan and his government have brought nothing but woes to almost all families in Nigeria.

“Today, our country is being mocked all over the world because of poor leadership. This makes the emergence of Buhari imperative. With this development, Nigeria and Nigerians can now heave a sigh of relief that APC’s Rescue Team has come on board. The only thing left is for all Nigerians to unite and vote out this administration that has bought shame and pains to us all.”

Rivers APC in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, commended Buhari on his victory and his determination to lead the way to a new Nigeria if given the mandate next year by Nigerians. “As Gen. Buhari himself did say at the APC Convention, he is a man who is impatient for change, who loves Nigeria and who deserves to be given a chance to rescue the country and make her great again. We fully agree with him that we as a country simply cannot afford four more years of PDP’s corruption and the corrosive cynicism that it has bred,” Ikanya said.

The party congratulated former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governors Rochas Okorocha and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well Pharmacist Sam Ndah-Isaiah for being gallant in defeat and accepting the verdict of the delegates. “We pray and hope that these worthy Nigerians will fully throw their weight behind Candidate Buhari so that collectively we can march and save our nation from the hands of President Jonathan and his governance-miss-road assist as true democrats in this struggle to free our country from the chains of inept leadership forced on us by the evil PDP,” Rivers APC said.

It also congratulated the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, for the leading role he played towards the emergence of Buhari as APC’s flagbearer. “We salute our worthy Leader and the other APC Leaders for their political sagacity, which resulted in the best party primaries ever conducted in the country and produced the best possible Presidential Candidate in the person of Gen. Buhari,” the party said, adding:

“We specifically wish to appreciate the part that Bola Tinubu, Ogbonnaya Onu and others played to bring this broom revolution to pass. We are encouraged and motivated that the suffering and persecution that we in Rivers State have been going through in the hands of President Jonathan and his PDP will be over in a matter of months. We appeal to Nigerians to take heart as their problems will soon be a thing of the past when APC, with Buhari as presidential candidate, forms the next government after the 2015 presidential elections.”

•Photo shows Buhari acknowledging cheers at an APC gathering.

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