Kaduna — Former Head of State and presidential aspirant of Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday took the world by surprise when he declared that he would not prosecute past corrupt leaders if elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The two-time presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), however assured that his administration would tackle corruption in all its ramifications, stressing that there would be no sacred cows.

Buhari also assured Nigerians that he would not approach any court of law should he lose out at the general elections slated for 2011.

This was contained in an interview Buhari granted the BBC Hausa which was monitored in Kaduna where he repeated that both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were incredible and below standard.

Laying bare his plans, he said: "In this country everybody knows what is happening. The greatest problem is insecurity; everyone in Nigeria must be secured. People who are responsible for our woes are suddenly, beginning to think that they are untouchable. They don't obey our laws, they don't operate within the law, but I promise you that by the grace of God, we shall deal with them."

Speaking on the restiveness in the Niger Delta region, General Buhari said: "We will sit and dialogue with the parties involved based on the constitution of Nigeria but I tell you, all the predicaments we are facing in this country is a result of corruption and indiscipline."

On why he would not prosecute past leaders, he explained: "I will not investigate those that betrayed Nigeria because what Nigeria has faced in this 12 years of democracy is such that If I decide to investigate past leaders, my tenure will elapse and nothing will be achieved.

"What I will do is to draw a battle-line with the parliament to make sure that anyone found guilty of corruption, is charged. So, no matter how untouchable you think you are, you will face the full arm of the law, particularly those that feel they are above the law.

"We will not compromise. If we don't fight corruption, looters will continue to ruin us; they won't leave a dime for our national development."

Former Head of State and presidential aspirant of Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday took the world by surprise when he declared that he would not prosecute past corrupt leaders if elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeri.

The two-time presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), however assured that his administration would tackle corruption in all its ramifications, stressing that there would be no sacred cows.

Buhari also assured Nigerians that he would not approach any court of law should he lose out at the general elections slated for 2011.

This was contained in an interview Buhari granted the BBC Hausa which was monitored in Kaduna where he repeated that both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were incredible and below standard.

Laying bare his plans, he said: "In this country everybody knows what is happening. The greatest problem is insecurity; everyone in Nigeria must be secured. People who are responsible for our woes are suddenly, beginning to think that they are untouchable. They don't obey our laws, they don't operate within the law, but I promise you that by the grace of God, we shall deal with them."

Speaking on the restiveness in the Niger Delta region, General Buhari said: "We will sit and dialogue with the parties involved based on the constitution of Nigeria but I tell you, all the predicaments we are facing in this country is a result of corruption and indiscipline."

On why he would not prosecute past leaders, he explained: "I will not investigate those that betrayed Nigeria because what Nigeria has faced in this 12 years of democracy is such that If I decide to investigate past leaders, my tenure will elapse and nothing will be achieved.

"What I will do is to draw a battle-line with the parliament to make sure that anyone found guilty of corruption,  is charged. So, no matter how untouchable you think you are, you will face the full arm of the law, particularly those that feel they are above the law.

"We will not compromise. If we don't fight corruption, looters will continue to ruin us; they won't leave a dime for our national development."

On his defection from the All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP) Buhari said that the actions of the ANPP following the 2007 presidential election is the major reason he dumped the party. "Yes, many people have been wondering why I'm still contesting the presidency of this country, having contested in 2003 and 2007. But Nigerians know that both the 2003 and 2007 elections were not sincerely conducted because there were injustices.

"There were cases of oppressions, which election experts and observers across the world confirmed. And to prove us right, three judges upturned the election, while three agreed that although there were flaws, the results should be maintained for national peace and stability.

"The Chief Justice agreed with them and it became four against three. If I don't get it this time I won't go to court again, because we have told Nigerians that if they want true democracy, if they want true public officers, they must replicate what the people of Bauchi, Kano and Lagos did via their votes. There is nothing I can do."

He also called on Nigerians to protect their votes at the polls until results are announced. "We should vote, protect, escort and ensure that our votes count and that they are intact because of the election flaws we have recorded in this country.

Nigerians were subjected to all kinds of electoral manipulations; some were beaten, while others were still on queue to cast their votes when the results were announced over the radio so you can see the situation we have found ourselves."
Comparing the crises in the CPC to that of the ANPP, he said: "The crisis in the CPC and ANPP are different. Take for instance what happened in 2007; after the election I went to court for 30 months. They insisted that I go to court, I agreed and got my lawyer and they got theirs.

Midway, they deserted me without recourse to the party's hierarchy and caucus. They joined the PDP government which undermined our party's democracy, and put themselves in the mainstream of the government, and that is why I quit. But in the CPC the usual lawlessness we experienced in ANPP will not be taken for granted.

There are some chairmen of CPC who met and took a decision on their own and we took several disciplinary actions against them, for going contrary to the laws governing our party. Today we have temporary leaders in CPC from states to LGAs and wards," Buhari explained.



Me thinks you is right because the nation is there need of help first!!!!

Interesting write up. The part about possibly using up a whole tenure to fight past corrupt leaders makes sense and at the same time doesn't. All he needs to do is to create an empowered and non biased EFCC, and not get involved. At least he has made it clear he is determined to fight corruption but not focus on going after past leaders. I prefer knowing that now than voting for someone who makes noise about fighting corruption and then does nothing about it when he get in but actively starts a campaign of shielding corrupt past leaders (like the previous president). . .

Awwwwwwwwww.
How generous.
That is why we already have Jonathan remember?
Nigeria does not need you.

Sky Blue:

Interesting write up. The part about possibly using up a whole tenure to fight past corrupt leaders makes sense and at the same time doesn't. All he needs to do is to create an empowered and non biased EFCC, and not get involved. At least he has made it clear he is determined to fight corruption but not focus on going after past leaders. I prefer knowing that now than voting for someone who makes noise about fighting corruption and then does nothing about it when he get in but actively starts a campaign of shielding corrupt past leaders (like the previous president). . .

Gbam

Blazay:

Awwwwwwwwww.
How generous.
That is why we already have Jonathan remember?
Nigeria does not need you.

What do you mean? So we should elect Jonathan (with his 7yr extension quest) because he have surrounded himself with the finest political criminals Nigeria ever produced?

This is part reason why I don't really believe Buhari government will CHANGE Nigeria but I certainly believe it will probably put PDP dreams on hold for, say, at least 4 years which is ample time for the competition to grow it's own 7 heads. I wait for him to surprise the Nigerian people.

Anyone that thinks Buhari will not go after the likes of IBB, David Mark, Dimeji Bankole and co is really smoking some real good ish! I've been hoping someone would be wise enough to advice him about making overtures to this vultures and give them a false sense of security. Then, just when they think its all good---wham--- hit them with all sorts of charges in their indictments. I still predict a lot of these old politicians will spend their last days in Prison. I really hope Buhari becomes Nigeria's president, but we all know the deal. . . .

So you want to allow OBJ AND his cohorts have peace after stealing the cursed country called nigeria DRY?

Considering the party on whose party he is running on is a minority party, I doubt he will have enough power to do much, if NASS remains filled with PDP goons. Not making an excuse for him but this is reason why I don't really expect him to be able to do much when it comes to fighting the big named godfathers out there today. He may be able to get at the smaller guys until he gathers enough supporters to aid him.

Genaral Buhari a je a huta! Mun gode.

Genaral Buhari go and rest! Thanks

Genaral Buhari jo elo si mi! Ose

General Buhari il tuo molto stanco, altri! Grazie.

These are my last compassionate words. Not for the small respect i used to have for you i would have paste my 'happy xmas' here.

NEXT! Pls.

buhari is a fascist and i would vote for him QED

gogo13233:

buhari is a fascist and i would vote for him QED

sorry i meant to type i would never vote for him b4 my kid distracted me