by Isi Esene

Spokesman for the Congress for Progressive Change, Rotimi Fashakin has maintained that former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) holds no intention to relinquishing his ambition to again contest a presidential election.

He said, contrary to reports from certain quarters, Buhari is not stepping down according to the wishes of members of his party, the CPC.

Fashakin, while speaking with newsmen yesterday said, “It is not true that Gen. Buhari is stepping down. He will make himself available for the 2015 election if he is accepted by the new arrangement. If he is not accepted, he is a democrat, he will not force himself on the party.”

While making reference to the newly formed All Progressives Congress and its choice of a presidential candidate come 2015, Fashakin said Buhari is in poll position to be selected due to his high electoral value.

Fashakin reportedly continued saying, “Many people do not understand the average northerner. The preponderance of these people is in rural areas. These are people Gen. Buhari is popular with. The general belief is that Gen. Buhari is adjudged as a leader.

“There are not many of these northern elements that have the kind of popularity that Gen. Buhari has. The electoral value of Gen. Buhari is never in doubt. It is a fact. He has created a niche for himself.”

Explaining why the CPC wanted Buhari to contest the 2015 poll, Fashakin said the former Head of State would provide transparent leadership for the country.

“The truth of the matter is that Buhari is a man with amazing and remarkable character. He is a dependable leader in terms of service delivery,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party are obviously not impressed by the coalition of parties making the APC saying that it will be torn apart sooner or later by ambition.

Whole speaking to the press in Abuja on Tuesday about the recentmerger, the party chairman, Bamaga Tukur said, “Don’t worry, this is not the first time Nigerians would hear about merger. Let elections come and everyone will see the problems within them. They will be torn to rags because of ambitions.

“PDP is a united party, even when we disagree; we are able to reconcile our differences because of our belief in the unity of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.”