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General Muhammudu Buhari (retd)
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The All Progressives Congress (APC)
presidential candidate, General Muhammudu Buhari (retd) has shed more light on
why he will not debate with his main opponent, President Goodluck Jonathan of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the debate being organized by the
Nigerian Debate Group this month.
Buhari declared that there was
nothing to debate on, as the PDP-led government had failed Nigerians woefully. He made this comment in Abuja at a
meeting with members of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)
and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Leadership reports:
Replying to a question on whether Buhari
has changed his mind about not attending the debate, he said: “You have asked a
very provocative question; like I said there is nothing to debate with the PDP.
I give you an example: when INEC submitted a report on the (postponed) February
14 elections to the National Security Council meeting – that they (INEC) were
ready for the election after achieving 60 per cent voter card distribution, the
security chiefs told Jega that they could not guarantee security.”
Buhari explained that he invited the
media owners and practitioners to thank them for the role they have played in
advancing the country’s democracy thus far, and especially for being a platform
through which Nigerians cry out for ‘change’.
The former head of state whose
regime was noted for zero tolerance for press freedom said he would turn a new
leaf and ensure media freedom, if elected.
Acknowledging the role he played as
a former military ruler whose regime promulgated Decree No 4 of 1984, General
Buhari pledged that as he had become a converted democrat, he would not toy
with press freedom again.
“Many of you are aware of the role
we played as a military ruler in the promulgation of Decree 4 of 1984.Though I
cannot change the past, military rule brought it about; now as a converted
democrat, and having subjected myself to democratic elections, when eventually
elected, I will ensure that media freedom is not compromised.
“Nigerian media will be free under
an APC-led government and I will ensure that the Nigerian Constitution is upheld”,
Buhari stated.
He pleaded with the media to use
their various outlets to stop the hate speeches that have crept into the
electoral process which, he noted, could heat up the polity.
The APC flag bearer also thanked the
media for the role they had played so far in shaping issues and discourse as
elections gradually approach and urged the media not to relent in their
watchdog role.
At the parley held at the Sheraton
Hotel, Abuja, top media owners, including the founder of Leadership Newspapers,
Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah; the publishers of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka Pemu; Daily
Trust Newspaper, Kabiru Yusuf, and ThisDay Newspaper, Nduka Obiagbena, were all
in attendance.
APC chieftains at the parley were the party’s
national chairman, Chief John Oyegun, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and
Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
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