May 5, 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that the driving force for seeking public office should be to serve the people, improve their lives and not for frivolity or personal ambition.

This is contained in a statement signed by Malam Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.

The statement said that Buhari made this known at the All Progressives Party’s (APC) Ward Congress held at Bayagida Model Primary School, Daura, Katsina State on Saturday.

The president also maintained that the passion to serve and see real changes in the lives of Nigerians informed his choice to join partisan politics in the first place.

He said the zeal inspired him to contest elections in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Buhari said that his decision to seek a second term in office was borne out of a deep passion to serve Nigerians, and not for personal gains.

He noted that his administration had already started the process of ensuring fairness, justice and equity, in spite of challenges, and would work hard to consolidate on the gains.

“I am not in politics for fun, frivolity or to amass wealth, I have always been driven by a deep sense of commitment to make a difference to lives of our people.

“After my retirement from the army, or forceful retirement, I sat back and watched as events unfolded on the political turf, and realised the country needed an intervention for fairness, justice and inclusion of Nigerians in the issues that affect their lives,’’ he added.

The President called for patience, maturity and orderliness as the 2019 elections’ calendar begins to unfold.

He urged political parties, candidates and the electorate to put the country first and always remember that “victory ultimately belongs to God.’’

He said: “After going to the court so many times to challenge results of elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011, and going up to the Supreme Court, I concluded that ultimately it is God who determines who will win elections, and in 2015 I got here.’’

In his remarks, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina state said the process of electing the leaders of the party at the ward level was hitch-free, orderly and based on the constitution of the APC.

“What we have here are our leaders that were chosen based on consensus and we are happy that it reflects the will of the people and the APC constitution.

“We followed the process to also ensure that there is affirmation,’’ he said.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Ward Congress, who is also the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq urged the party leaders to remain loyal and live up to expectations.