President Muhammadu Buhari
Despite the scathing letter from former President, Olusegun Obasanjo advising President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019, more endorsements have continued to come the way of Buhari urging him to run.
The latest is coming from the National Harmonised Traders Union of Nigeria which on Thursday endorsed Buhari to re-contest for the Presidency in 2019. The President of the association, Alhaji Bature Abdul’aziz, made this known to newsmen in Kano.
Also Thursday, Buhari hosted representatives of the Governors’ Forum. Although, 2019 election was not the motive but inside Aso Rock sources said some of the governors seized the moment to show solidarity to Buhari on the heels of Obasanjo’s long letter. Those in attendance included Chief Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Kastina State Governor, Rt Hon Aminu Masari and Kebbi State Governor Senator Atiku Bagudu. Others were Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Lanlong, and Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari.
Also, Thursday former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu lampooned Obasanjo for advising Buhari, saying Obasanjo has no moral right to counsel Buhari on whether to run or not.
The leader of the traders while announcing the endorsement of Buhari said the decision of the union to declare its support for Buhari to re-contest for the presidency was borne out of its firm believe that Buhari would take the country to greater heights considering the achievements he recorded in the last two and a half years.
“Though we are a non-partisan organisation, we will support you (Buhari) to contest for the second term and this time we will put more effort than we did before.
“We advise you (Buhari) to remain resolute on your trust to Nigerians in your quest to ensure peace and unity in the country,” he said.
Abdulaziz commended the president for the successes recorded in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency and the fight against corruption in the country.
“Your efforts in infrastructural development especially road network development across the 36 states is gradually taking shape.
“We congratulate you on the effort being made to revamp our rail transport system to a 21st century standard,” he said.
He said the rail lines when fully operational would boost growth in the commerce sector in moving goods easily across the country as well as ease the sufferings of travellers.
He lauded Federal Government effort over the significant improvement recorded in the energy sector and called for more to be done in view of the importance of the sector toward the development of the country.
“We have noticed a significant improvement in the energy sector but we expect more to be done as the sector is a major key to commerce, industry and trade,’’ he said.
On security, the president of the association called on Buhari to personally monitor the use of one billion dollars earmarked recently to fight insurgency so as ensure accountability and transparency.
He however charged Buhari to expose and punish all known saboteurs who are bent on sabotaging his administration’s effort toward making Nigeria a better country.
