10 key takeaways from Muhammadu Buhari’s Chatham House speech (READ)

by Isi Esene

Buhari Chatham

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) was at the Chatham House on Thursday morning to discuss Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition.

The event which was chaired by former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Gozney had many Nigerians in attendance including APC stalwarts like Gov. Rotimi Amaechi and Adams Oshiomhole.

Buhari, who stood all through his speech, made a case for his candidature and tried to convince his audience that he is the best man for the job.

Read 10 takeaways from the retired General’s speech earlier today.

– 1. With the size of the audience at the London venue of the event, it is clear that Muhammadu Buhari’s speech was highly anticipated. Members of the international community; politicians; foreign and local journalists; members of the Peoples Democratic Party; APC chieftains represented by Gov. Rotimi Amaechi and Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, and others were there to listen to him speak.

– 2. In his speech Buhari cut the image of a born again politician who has turned a way from his dictatorial slant to a more liberal, accommodating individual. His statement says it all: “I have heard people refer to me as a former dictator – dictatorship goes with military rule. I take responsibility for whatever happened under my watch – I cannot change the past but I can change the present and the future.”

– 3. Buhari gives the reason why he keeps running for elections despite losing three times before. “…because the job of making Nigeria great is not yet done, and I believe I can change things through the ballot,” he explained.

– 4. The APC politician explained that he is not in the presidential race to foment trouble but to pursue avenues for peaceful and sustainable development. “I’m running to lead Nigeria to prosperity, not adversity…” he said.

– 5. Buhari thinks the Pres. Goodluck Jonathan administration brandishes ‘paper growth’ instead of deepening the economy to enhance a trickle affect to the average Nigerian. According to the former military General, the government has “created two economies in one nation. A sorry tale of one economy for the rich and another for the poor.”

– 6. He left no one in doubt that he will not accommodate corrupt people in his government if elected. “Corruption will have no place and corrupt people will not be appointed into my administration.”

– 7. The APC candidate believes the Jonathan administration is wasteful. “Two things that have bloomed under this governnent is waste and corruption,” he said.

– 8. His take on Boko Haram? “We will be tough on terrorism and we will be tough on its root cause.”

– 9. Buhari tried to explain away his military take-over of government in 1983 saying he (and his group of military agitators) did it because they “were unhappy with the state of things in the country. We fought our way into power…”

– 10. He then established the born again credentials adding that “Democracy has taught us that there’s another way to bring change – a lesson that has not been lost on me.”

 

Comments (6)

  1. that is not what we want from you..come nigeria and tell us what you will do,the western world are just selfish..why cant they help us since the boko hatam northerns leaders are usig to destroy GEJ govt…live foreigh people out of nigerians problem,come for the debate if you know you are sure

  2. He performed brilliantly with the speech.March 28…Said

  3. It is a reassuring speech, good and we look forward to March 28, 2015!

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