Supporters who had gathered at the Everlasting Arms Ministries Church in East London for the presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress expressed surprise that the party’s presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was absent.
But the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, explained that the rally was not part of Buhari’s itinerary.
According to Mohammed, Buhari, who had been in the UK since last week Thursday, had been holding meetings with top officials of the country who are supporters of his party.
Mohammed said he also took time off to rest after the hectic campaigns the party engaged in across Nigeria.
Apart from the meetings, Buhari is expected to speak at the Chatham House, the Royal Institute of Public Affairs. The National Publicity Secretary assured those present at the rally that he will be at the Chatham House event billed for 26th February.
While speaking on the party’s manifesto, Mohammed said APC will tackle corruption, generate employment and introduce a nine-year free compulsory education to eradicate illiteracy.
“APC is committed to fighting corruption in the country by ensuring discipline, honesty, hard work and merit,” he said.
Also speaking, the APC governorship candidate for Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who was at the rally, tasked the Diaspora to take advantage of the upcoming elections to move Nigeria in the right direction.
El-rufai, who fielded questions on the engagement of the Diaspora in nation building, urged the people to encourage their families and associates in Nigeria to vote APC into power.
The former FCT Minister, who also dispelled rumours of Buhari’s ill health, said the APC presidential flag bearer had the requisite experience, given his age at 73, to serve Nigeria.
“When nations go through trauma, they normally go for older leaders who are more tolerant, focused and prepared to create a younger generation of leaders,” El-Rufai said.
“That was the case in South Africa and China. For Nigeria, Buhari will bring about stability and peace we yearn for.”
APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, told the supporters that the party’s strength was in its desire to change Nigeria.
“We are calling on our foreign friends not to help APC but to ensure that the right thing is done in Nigeria,” he appealed.
