The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday, said his regime was determined to keep the country together.
Reminiscing the gory civil war from 1967 – 1970, the President said the price had been paid to ensure Nigeria’s unity. Therefore, political leaders must uphold the ultimate objective of promoting the interest of the country.
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said this when he received former State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change at the State House, Abuja.
The statement was titled, ‘We are Nigerians, God willing we will remain Nigerians, and Nigeria will remain one, says President Buhari.’
The President said the self-centeredness that led to the loss of about a million lives between 1967-1970 must not be allowed to repeat itself, noting that the CPC was founded on the bedrock of patriotism and loyalty to the unity of Nigeria.
He said, “Our main objective is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are human beings. We have our weaknesses, but I can assure you that the patriotism in us is hard-earned. We have gone through all the troubles from 15th of January 1966 to date. You know what I mean by this, we have killed a million of ourselves in order to keep this country together.
“I don’t think there can be any practical experience more than that. We are Nigerians, God willing, we remain Nigerians and Nigeria will remain one.”
The President also noted that the passion and zeal for improving the livelihood of Nigerians, which culminated in creation of the political party had not dwindled.
He, therefore, called for more steadfastness as Nigerians; urging all members of defunct CPC and political leaders to remain mindful of the larger picture by working towards preserving the unity, peace and integrity of the nation.
To the former chairmen, he said, “I am delighted to welcome the forum of State Chairmen of the former Congress for Progressives’ Change to State House today. I accord great significance to this visit as it demonstrates a determination and commitment to identify with our administration.
“This visit recalls the solidarity with the successes that we have recorded in critical areas of our society. The visit also affords us the opportunity to discuss other issues of interest to the forum.
“I commend members of this forum and all members of the legacy party-CPC, for their continued dedication to the ideals of democratic governance that we all believed in.
“The doggedness with which we pursued our vision and goals that culminated into the success we recorded remain like bright stars in the history of our dear nation,’’ he added.
President Buhari said he was particularly grateful for the “unalterable belief the members of the CPC and, by extension the Nigerian electorate, had and still have in me as demonstrated in their unalloyed support for our electoral struggles which reflected in the results that we consistently recorded at the polls over the years.’’
The President said efforts had been made in appointing some members of CPC in his government, including those in the Federal Executive Council like the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Water Resources, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
“I listened to the remarks of your Chairman which highlighted our modest achievements in diverse areas.
“We shall remain resolute to continue to deliver on the promises we made to Nigerians, and to ensure that we attain greater milestones in terms of economic growth, infrastructural development, provision of security, and the war against corruption, among other responsibilities of government,’’ he added.
The Chairman of Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct CPC and former Chairman of the party in Niger State, Umar Shuaibu, described Buhari as “Patriarch of the CPC’’.
He commended the President for providing strong leadership over the years, particularly in remaining balanced, fair and above board in electoral issues.
“Before you, the opposition was arrested and maltreated, but it is no longer so. You did not deny them what they denied you when they were in power,” he noted.
Shuaibu thanked the President for appointing members of the defunct CPC into the Federal Executive Council, as head of agencies and members of Boards.
