The Presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC), Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), of having sentenced Nigeria to economic and political underdevelopment since it assumed power 16 years ago.
Buhari who spoke when 13 political parties which have pledged to work with him for the purpose of the forth coming general election,paid him a visit at the 34 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, office on Wednesday, lamented that the country has made more money between 1999 and this year, than she made between 1914(when amalgamation took place) and now.
He showed appreciation to the parties which have agreed to enter a working relationship with him and the APC.
In his words,”I honestly appreciate how you arrived at this decision to co-operate with us in this election.This decision is very patriotic. We have to appreciate the stage we are in . We have to realize that we can save the system and our country, if we come together”.
He challenged the ruling party to tell Nigerian people how utilized the resources it made in the last 16 years it has been in power.”6We challenge the PDP, let them account for their stay in power for 16 years of rulership,in terms of the fundamental objectives we have been talking about,in the three most important aspects we have been talking about- in the areas of security, economy and corruption.
“We have been very consistent about these issues but people who are sitting on the periphery have kept on making noise and wasting our time. Let them come and defend themselves in what they have done in the last 16 years, with the incredible resources they made within this period.the incredible resources this country realized within this period, which is much more than what the country made since the amalgamation in 1914. If you go and get this record from the Central Bank.
“The type of money we made in the last 16 years, we have never made it before.
We used to have Nigeria Airways, Nigeria Shipping Line, Nigeria Railways etc. But what do we have now?, nothing.Look at the state of our Naira. Now you have to get 220 something Naira for a DOLLAR .How can we develop under this system?
“We appreciate the stage we are in our political development.We have been sentenced to underdevelopment by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). So we do appreciate the role you are playing right now. Our survival as a nation depends on our coming together and insist that there must be free, fair and credible election. Anybody who will interfere with this, Nigeria will survive, in spite of what they are doing now.
