Alleged conspiracy by some retired generals to frustrate the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari next month is doomed to fail,the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has vowed.
Oshiomhole said in Minna, the Niger State capital, that the future of Nigeria is not in the hands of such generals, but in the hands of the majority of Nigerians.
He spoke during the party’s presidential campaign at the Trade Fair complex, Minna where he pledged that to continue to implement people-oriented policies and programmes if he was re-elected.
But the APC campaign team was overwhelmed by the time it arrived Jos later in the day so much so that the President could not address them.
Hitting out at the retired generals during the Minna rally, Oshiomhole said: “Many of the retired generals are ganging up against President Buhari, that he will not do eight years while they did more than eight years.
“I remember they did it before, did it in the past. But this time, the plan will not work. The future of Nigeria is not in the hands of retired generals or former heads of state. It is in the hands of the general people.”
He mentioned no names. He said such retired generals were not happy that Buhari is fighting corruption and accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of banking on rigging to win the forthcoming election.
His words: “everywhere PDP goes, they are saying the elections will be rigged. We need to play those video recordings of where Obasanjo and Atiku said that the election is a win or die matter for PDP.”
He said for those of them in the APC “we remain firm believers in one man one vote, one woman, one vote, and one former head of state, one vote.”
Also addressing the rally, President Buhari promised to embark on massive infrastructural development across the country if re-elected on February 16 .
He said that arrangement had been concluded for the construction of modern standard gauge rail line from Minna to Abuja, and to Baro Inland Water Port to enhance socio economic growth of the state.
He said a new Lagos – Ibadan – Minna – Kaduna and Kano rail line is being constructed while Mokwa- Jebba federal road is ready.
”We will ensure the completion of the ongoing Zungeru Hydro Power Project and all ongoing federal government projects across the country,” he said.
So much was the crowd that for over one hour,APC leaders pleaded in vain for them to allow the President speak. Buhari had to return to Abuja.
He later extended appreciation to the people of Plateau State for turning out in such large numbers to welcome him in Jos.
His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said ”so much was the turnout that the President could not eventually address the crowd.
“After waiting for about an hour, with the melee not receding, but rather increasing in tempo and fervour, President Buhari received illustrious Plateau citizens who were crossing to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from other political parties, waved at the appreciative crowd, and left for Abuja.
