Enugu, Awka unprecedented crowd, welcome Buhari

Why I'm in this race, by ex-Head of State •Okorocha, Ngige, Onu,
others canvass votes for party •APC observes minute silence for
Maiduguri blast victims
•Laments Nigeria has become sitting duck to terrorism
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),
General Muhammadu Buhari declared yesterday that he is contesting next
month's election to correct the anomalies which the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) has failed to tackle in its 16 years in charge of the
nation's affairs.
Speaking to an unprecedented crowd which the chairman of the party,
chief john Odigie-Oyegun described as fantastic, Gen Buhari listed
some of the anomalies as insecurity in the land, youth unemployment,
kidnapping, corruption and inadequate electricity.
Also speaking in Awka, Anambra State, in continuation of his
nationwide campaign ahead of the election, he cited the failure of the
federal authorities to rescue the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls abducted
last April by Boko Haram, stressing that if the federal government was
truly alive to its responsibility, the girls should have been freed.
The APC is ready and determined to take Nigeria to the great height it
deserves to be and that the Southeast will be given its prime of place
if he wins the election, Buhari told thousands of broom waving
supporters at the Emmaus House Field venue of the rally.
Also speaking, former Governor of Anambra State and Senator
representing Central Zone, Dr. Chris Ngige said that the Igbo have
been taken for a ride for too long by the PDP, and said this is the
time for them to say enough.
He said that PDP government had given Ndigbo broken promises ranging
from the second Niger Bridge to River Ports and failure to
rehabilitate South East roads.
Ngige said the APC would have its agents in all polling booths across
the nation to ensure that the PDP does not succeed in rigging.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said an APC government at the
federal level would give Nigeria an effective leadership.
"That is why we searched everywhere to check who has the pedigree to
lead this country out of the doldrums and the lot fell on General
Muhammadu Buhari, who everybody knows is a man of integrity and
character," he said.
He said PDP members are afraid of Buhari because of his anti-corruption stance.
Others who spoke in the same vein were former Governor of Abia State,
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, and APC National Auditor, Chief George Muoghalu.
Three House of Representatives defectors from PDP and All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA) were in attendance.
They are Victor Afam Ogene (Ogbaru), Forte Dike (Ihiala) and Emeke
Nwogbo (Awka North and South).
Also there were Buhari's running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN),
former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Oni, National Chairman of APC,
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State,
Senator Osita Isunaso, National Woman Leader Sharon Ikeazor and APC
members in the state House of assembly in the state.
A minute silence was observed in honour of those who lost their lives
in an explosion at a poultry market in Maiduguri yesterday.
General Buhari and his entourage paid courtesy visits to the
traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu and the Anglican Bishop of
Awka, the Most Rev. Alex Ibezim, who presented him a copy of the Holy
Bible.
Seeing the Enugu crowd, Gen. Buhari was left speechless when he
arrived the venue at about 5.15pm.
People started waiting for the APC campaign train as early as 8am.
An elated Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo told Buhari, "Now you can see
with your two eyes that we have broken the jinx."
Buhari in a short speech due to lack of time promised that the coal
industry in Enugu would be revived and the Oji River power station
revamped to supply enough power to the area.
He promised to evolve a policy that would enable rice farmers produce
greater quantity for exports.
Odigie-Oyegun who spoke both in English and pidgin asked the people of
South East zone what they have gained from the PDP in the 16 years
they have been following PDP.
The highlight of the event was the handing over of the party flag to
the governorship candidate, Chief Okey Ezea by the party chairman.
Meanwhile, Gen. Buhari yesterday expressed disappointment that Nigeria
has become a sitting duck to terrorist attacks, while victims of such
attacks are left to their fate.
General Buhari in a statement on the Boko Haram attack in Baga, Borno
State, asked the federal government to introduce more proactive and
effective security strategies to curtail the menace of terrorism in
the country.
He said it was high time government reviewed its counter-terrorism strategies.
He maintained that the security, welfare and the happiness of the
citizens are the basic responsibilities of any government, saying a
situation where the citizens are helplessly living with the specter of
terrorist attacks contradicts these basic functions.
He said : "on our way back from campaigning in two states in South
Eastern Nigeria, we were informed of the unspeakable massacre that
took place in Baga earlier Thursday.

Credits} NATION