President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that the driving force
for seeking public office should be to serve the people, improve their
lives and not for frivolity or personal ambition.
This is contained in a statement signed by Malam Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
The statement said that Buhari made this known at the All
Progressives Party’s (APC) Ward Congress held at Bayagida Model Primary
School, Daura, Katsina State on Saturday.
The president also maintained that the passion to serve and see
real changes in the lives of Nigerians informed his choice to join
partisan politics in the first place.
He said the zeal inspired him to contest elections in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Buhari said that his decision to seek a second term in office was
borne out of a deep passion to serve Nigerians, and not for personal
gains.
He noted that his administration had already started the process of
ensuring fairness, justice and equity, in spite of challenges, and
would work hard to consolidate on the gains.
“I am not in politics for fun, frivolity or to amass wealth, I
have always been driven by a deep sense of commitment to make a
difference to lives of our people.
“After my retirement from the army, or forceful retirement, I
sat back and watched as events unfolded on the political turf, and
realised the country needed an intervention for fairness, justice and
inclusion of Nigerians in the issues that affect their lives,’’ he added.
The President called for patience, maturity and orderliness as the 2019 elections’ calendar begins to unfold.
He urged political parties, candidates and the electorate to put
the country first and always remember that “victory ultimately belongs
to God.’’
He said: “After going to the court so many times to challenge
results of elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011, and going up to the Supreme
Court, I concluded that ultimately it is God who determines who will
win elections, and in 2015 I got here.’’
In his remarks, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina state said the
process of electing the leaders of the party at the ward level was
hitch-free, orderly and based on the constitution of the APC.
“What we have here are our leaders that were chosen based on
consensus and we are happy that it reflects the will of the people and
the APC constitution.
“We followed the process to also ensure that there is affirmation,’’ he said.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Ward Congress, who
is also the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Ahmad Usman
El-Marzuq urged the party leaders to remain loyal and live up to
expectations.
-NAN