Buhari Flags-off 2019 Campaign, Focuses On Anti-graft War, Economy
BY ARCHIBONG EYO, UYO – President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday formally flagged-off his 2019 presidential campaign in the South South Zone with a pledge that his administration will take the anti-corruption war; economic diversification and fight against insecurity to the ‘Next Level’ if re-elected.
Addressing a huge crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) members and supporters at the Nest of Champions’ Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, President Buhari highlighted successes recorded in his three campaign promises of 2015.
The President, who lauded the Akwa Ibom people for the warm reception accorded him to flag-off his campaign, said the APC government, being pro-Nigerian people, would not renege on its commitment to the war against corruption as well as building a thriving economy in the overall interest of the people.
Maintaining that the governing APC has recorded milestone in the anti-corruption fight; provision of security; and improving the economy, the President said; “I want anyone to challenge me on these three programmes.”
He said; “When we came to power, Boko Haram was holding 17 local governments in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. But today, they are not holding any local local government.”
According to him, the insurgents are only resorting to suicide attacks and other unconventional methods that the federal government, through the military, is working hard to nib in the bud.
He said the government is also unrelenting in its economic diversification agenda with the priority placed on agriculture already paying off in Nigeria’s drive towards self sufficiency in food production.
President Buhari said Nigeria is already making progress in the area of food security, having considerably reduced its imports’ reliance.
On the government’s anti-graft war the President stated that efforts would be intensified towards bringing to book all those that may have stolen and appropriated the country’s commonwealth for their selfish interests.
The President stated that many individuals have been arrested and investigated, with the administration recovering huge sums as well as property that are proceeds of corruption.
Explaining that a special account has been opened for these recovered funds for transparency and ease of accountability, President Buhari told the cheering crowd that; “You will not regret re-electing me.”
Indeed, it was all cheers and applauses from the crowd as APC big-wigs, including the Party National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Transport Minister and Director-General, Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidential Campaign, Rotimi Amaechi among others mounted the podium to assure Nigerians of better days ahead when the President is returned in 2019 for a second term.
