News
2015: Buhari Declares Interest In Presidency …Cautions Supporters Against Abuses
Former Head of State and two times presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared his preparedness to run for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket for the 2015 general elections ahead of the APC primaries.
Addressing his 66 support groups that came under one umbrella, Buhari support centre in Abuja yesterday, Buhari however surrendered his fate to the primaries which he said will determine who eventually represents the party as the presidential flagbearer.
“If l get the nomination, I will expect you to redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the presidency, he said.
“In the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who win, I will expect you, as good party men, to extend to him your total support.
“We are a united party and united we shall remain because our strength lies in our unity,’’ Buhari said.
“I must warn all my supporters, volunteers and other well-wishers within the party or even out of it, not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf.
“My supporters must not engage in any kind of behaviour or conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division and rancour within the ranks of the party.
“Whoever does that should know that he or she is working for the enemy,’’ Buhari said.
The former leader further urged his supporters to be vigilant during and after elections and avoid taking laws into their hands.
“In particular, you must learn to be vigilant especially just before, during and immediately after elections, whether elections are rigged or not,” he said.
According to him, this is necessary so that sponsored hoodlums do not have chance to commit illegalities and in the end, members of the group are blamed.
“Not only must you not take the law into your hands no matter the level of provocation, you must be able to expose those planning to do so before the act,’’ he said.
He said he would soon declare his presidential ambition on the platform of the APC, adding that party interest should be put above self-interest.
He also said that for their support to be more meaningful, it must go beyond him to APC and candidates the party presented because its decision was ultimate.
“You must at all times remember that the APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the president.
The Director-General of the Centre, Umar Dembo, said it was “a department within the Buhari Campaign Organisation where all activities of the groups would be coordinated’’.
Also speaking, former President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Daniel Onje, urged members of the centre to eschew campaign of anarchy.
“I am a Christian and I refuse to believe in a campaign of anarchy.
“Contrary to insinuations, Buhari is a not a religious bigot.
“The appellation is the handiwork of those who want to continue to keep Nigeria down and divided.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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