NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM BACKS BUHARI, OPPOSES INTERIM GOVT

The Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule-led Northern Elders’ Forum has endorsed the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), and his running mate, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo for the February 14 election.
The forum said it -backed Buhari/Osinbajo for the presidency because the former Head of State “is a better candidate” compare to President Goodluck Jonathan to move the nation forward.
The elders, however, warned against any attempt to form an interim government being canvassed in some quarters in the country, saying any design to disenfranchise Nigerians in next month elections would be rejected.
While addressing journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, the Secretary of the NEF and former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, appealed to Nigerians to support the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidency.
He said a vote for Buhari/Osinbajo would end the fear, impunity and destitution, which had characterised the Jonathan administration in the country.
He said, “The Northern Elders Forum has welcomed the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as a presidential candidate, who has better credentials to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges than President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“Our endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari, in the same manner Nigerians from all parts of the country are supporting his candidacy, is based on our belief that he and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, have the integrity, commitment and experience to resolve our security problems, fight corruption and fix our economy.
“We welcome the overwhelming nation-wide support they are enjoying, and we appeal to all Nigerians to support them to a victory that will end fear, impunity and destitution in our land.”
Abdullahi said the elders were aware of an Interim National Government being muted in some quarters, warning that “such illegal arrangement” should not be allowed to truncate the February elections.
According to the scribe, the February polls must hold under the most secure and peaceful conditions possible, adding that “we have no doubt that the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is in a position to guarantee this, if it wishes.”
Abdullahi, also, a former Adviser on Food Security to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, said, “The forum is aware of sentiments being canvassed by anti-democratic forces that an unconstitutional Interim National Government or a similar illegal arrangement should be put in place to stop the forthcoming elections.
“We urge them as well as other presidential, governorship, national and state Assembly candidates to sign statements, urging disciplined, responsible and peaceful campaigning,” he said.
Source: Punch