‘Buhari needs another four years to restore peace’

Some eminent elders from the north at the weekend said another four years of Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency would restore peace and enable millions of internally displaced persons to return to their homes.

The elders said that President Buhari – led administration has succeeded in restoring peace to many parts of the troubled north eastern states.

The northern elders, under the aegis of Kungiyar Dattawan Arewa Initiative (KDAI) stated these during a press conference in Abuja to endorse the second term bid of President Buhari.

Convener of the group, Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd), said that the elders took the decision to endorse the president after a long and fruitful consultation with its members from all parts of the region.

The group dissociated itself from the purported endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by the Ango Abdullahi-led Northern Elders Forum, saying NEF does not speak for the region.

He said the elders decided to back President Buhari after a deep reflection into what he stands for in the history, politics, social and moral life of Nigeria at this time.

Tarfa said: “The 2019 presidential election is only one week away. Our group, which is made up of eminent elders from all over the north, felt that we must do our duty to the country and the younger generations to come by applying our experience and wisdom to guide them in the choice that we have made.

“The choice is necessary for the future of our country and our advice and input as elders is therefore very important.

“After a long and fruitful consultation with our members from all parts of the north, we have unanimously decided to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress as our choice in the forthcoming election.

“We have made this choice after a deep reflection into what President Buhari stands for in the history, politics, social and moral life of Nigeria at this time. To have a man with a long and distinguished record of public service in Nigeria for decades is a rare feat. We offer thanks to The Almighty God for providing us with such a man at this time.”

He said Buhari personifies the fight against corruption, rebuilding the economy and provision of the much needed security as a bedrock for social harmony and development.

According to him, the president’s administration, in the last three and a half year, waged relentless fight against corruption in all aspects of our national life.

This, he explained, is enough for Nigerians to give Buhari another four years in office in order to push forward with the anti-graft fight.

Also, the Senator representing Nasarawa West, Abdullahi Adamu appealed to Nigerians to support the president for a second term in office because Buhari has achieved successes in the areas of fighting corruption, security, economy and addressing unemployment.

According to him, the Buhari administration has covered some ground in all these areas.

“I appreciate in no small way, the enough that he has been making in the last three and a half years since he became president to address those three key areas in our manifesto.

“Any person who cares to look at the positives and the negatives and try to balance, will appreciate some facts that we have covered some ground, meaningful ground for that matter and in that case we have to appreciate the effort,” he said.

In the same vein, a former Deputy Governor of Plateau state, Paulen Tallen, appealed to women and youths in the country to support the second term bid of Buhari.

She said the president would accord more opportunities to women and youths if reelected.

Those present at the endorsement include; former Sokoto state governor, Aliyu Wamakko, Sen. Gada, Yusuf Suleiman, Alhj Abu Gidado, Ahmed Bello, Umaru Dambo, Yahaya Abdulkadiri, Sen Paul Okpana, Alhj Shehu Mallam, Yahaya Bello Ahmed, Dame Tallen among others.