Nigeria2015: Why We Are Worried About Buhari – Governor Akpabio

The Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the ideas postulated by Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, is a cause for concern for Nigeria’s ruling party and its leaders.

Speaking during the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Women Presidential Rally in Uyo, Friday, Mr. Akpabio alleged that the APC candidate was suffering from amnesia.

“We are not worried about the age of the man, but we are worried about the age of his ideas,” Mr. Akpabio said.

“Because in 1983 that was the same man that truncated democracy. 50 years old ideas. 1966, they came and said they want to take power because of corruption.

“50 years after they formed a group of aggrieved peoples’ party, and they are all going back with APC and they are saying they want to take power because of corruption.

“But we are fighting corruption. If you come to Akwa Ibom, can’t you see the projects all over? We don’t have a pothole. Women are still empowered.

“Mummy (he addresses Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s First Lady), we have what is called WADP, Women in Agriculture Development Programme. My wife has the one she calls Green Brigade. We are empowering the women.”

Mr. Akpabio said that government’s activities in the power sector as well as the return of railway services are evidence that the president if fighting corruption.

“When there is no corruption, the people will enjoy. Government is fighting corruption. That is why the president is transforming the power sector. That is why today nobody can complain about fertilizers,” he said.

“That is why the power sector is improving. That is why the trains are working. It was corruption that killed the trains. Jonathan is fighting corruption, that is why the roads are working. You can drive from Lagos to Benin, that is what I mean by fighting corruption. Not by talking about it.”

The Akwa Ibom governor said that Mr. Buhari’s “50-year-old” idea were the reason he doesn’t know the name of his running mate.

“So 50-year-old idea, when they come how are we sure he will even know the name of his country. If after election, will he even know the name of his country? Mr. Akpabio said.

“So we have no problem with the age of the man, we have problem with the age of his ideas. So I assure you that Goodluck Jonathan, who is within the youth bracket, will come back as president of Nigeria.

“What can bring unity to Nigeria is the return of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. We’re saying that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. And that he must do his second term.”