Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Army general and former head of state, has said he intends to “offer” himself for president on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.
Speaking with a cross section of supporters in Abuja Tuesday, the APC national leader said he would make a formal announcement soon, urging his supporters not to relent in giving their support to the party.
“I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the Republic on the platform of our great party,” he said.
“I intend to make a formal announcement soon, and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice. However, I would like to point out to you that to be more meaningful, your support must extend beyond my person and always be available to the party and all those that the party puts forward; because it is the party that is the platform,” he further said.
Further exhorting his supporters, Buhari said: “You must at all times remember that the APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the president. It is the primaries that will determine who eventually represents the party in which capacity. If I get the party nomination, I expect you will redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the presidency.
“But in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I will expect you as good party men to extend to him your total support. We are a united party, and united we shall remain because our strength lies in our unity.”
Buhari also warned his supporters who converged under the auspices of “Buhari Support Group” to desist from insulting any leader of the APC and other aspirants.
“My supporters must not engage in any kind of behaviour or conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division and rancour within the ranks of the party. Whoever does that should know he or she is working for the enemy,” he added.
