President Muhammadu Buhari has confessed that corruption has been fighting back from within his government and outside it as he tries to correct the many wrongs of the past.
He declared today, Tuesday, as he received nomination and expression of interest forms from a group of Nigerians at the Presidential Villa, Abuja: “corruption has been fighting back from both within and outside. But we held our ground.”
He expressed joy that as the nation approaches the 2019 general elections “the weakest ones amongst us, whose selfish expectations did not align with our selfless vision, have exited our party.
“We now have a party of strong and patriotic individuals who are ready, willing and able to continue on this journey of building a strong, secure, self-sufficient and corruption free Nigeria.”
President Buhari said that he was honoured to receive the nomination form members of the group from all over the country contributed money to buy, adding that it is a gesture from an association of patriotic Nigerians, which comprises over three million members that believe in his principle of bringing the desired positive CHANGE in Nigeria.
The President recalled that since his protest at his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat a few weeks back on the very expensive cost of the presidential nomination form, he had received many offers from different associations and organisations whose members were ready to pool their resources to buy the form for him.
“The 12 million members of the Rice Farmers Association offered to buy me a form. The members of the Fertiliser Producers Association also contacted my office with the same offer. Some members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association also offered to buy the nomination form. I can go on and on.
“I am very touched by these gestures. And I want to assure you all that my commitment to our CHANGE agenda is as strong as ever.
“As I accept this nomination form from NCAN today, I want to ask all the other groups who have offered to buy my nomination form to redirect their contributions to the Not Too Young To Run wing of the APC.
“Nigeria is blessed with many talented and visionary youths who have a lot to contribute. Many of them may not be able to afford the nomination fees set by our party. Your contributions will go a long way in supporting the next generation of leaders.
“I therefore would request that remaining funds raised to buy my presidential nomination form be used to support these young, competent and dynamic future leaders.”
Buhari prayed to God to give him all the strength and wisdom to continue to deliver the promises he and his party made to Nigerians.
