Why ACF endorses Buhari

■ Four years of Jonathan is disaster after disaster, says
Abubakar Mamman Danmusa
In the face of recent endorsement of the presidential candidate
of the All Progressive Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, by
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in the forthcoming
presidential election, elder statesman-cum-legal luminary and
former Deputy Senate President, Abubakar Mamman Danmusa,
has revealed why it was necessary ACF threw its weight
behind Buhari.
Danmusa said that the erstwhile Head of State was endorsed
on the basis that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse and there
is no sectional coloration about it.
He spoke to ANDY ASEMOTA on the merit of the endorsement
and what it portends for Nigeria. Excerpts:
What do you have to say on the recent endorsement of
General Muhammadu Buhari by Arewa Consultative Forum
(ACF) for next month presidential election?
Really, the parties have fielded their candidates and they made
their home work. You know, the chairman of ACF and former
Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie, said ACF has
endorsed Buhari, but they denied. But now, having seen the
candidates, the deterioration of security situation and the
sufferings, more about the economy in view of the price of oil
which has gone down terribly and the way Nigerians are
suffering, I think it is not because they come from the North
that they endorsed him.
In 2011, they did not endorse him because perhaps they were
of the opinion that Jonathan should be given a chance to
prove himself. Now, for four years, it is nothing but disaster
after disaster. Nigeria, which used to have respect all over the
world, is now the laughing stock. Certainly, something ought
to be done to stop the situation because, God forbid, if Nigeria
breaks up, the whole of Africa will be affected. You can see
with the war in Syria and Iraq how Europe is contending with
immigration challenges on a daily basis. If Nigeria, with its
vast population, explodes, certainly all neighbouring countries
will be in trouble.
Is there any hope?
It is not a question about Buhari or Jonathan but the question
of stability of Nigeria. For the first time in the history of South
South, they have endorsed Buhari and they are serious and if
they do things, they go all out. They (Buhari and his
supporters) are in mobilization process, like what took place
last week in Osun State where they walked for three
kilometres just to mobilize people to clean Nigeria.
You see, it is not the question of a northern organisation
endorsing Buhari. It is a question of the survival of this
country. What about Ohanaeze ? Long, long ago, it had
endorsed Jonathan. So, if that is the right thing for Ohanaeze
to do, then it is not wrong for Arewa Consultative Forum to
back Buhari. I think people should be honest with themselves.
Jonathan is a disaster. I am not with Buhari. I said I will not
join his party, but this time round, I am campaigning for him
that he should be elected. Not on the basis that he is a
northerner, no, but on the basis that Nigeria is on the brink of
collapse. Only God knows what will happen. So, whether
Buhari comes from where (ever), he is the best alternative we
have now and there is nothing wrong for Arewa Consutative
Forum to endorse him.
I think it would have been Ohanaeze which should be
condemned. Earlier, it had endorsed Jonathan; that is partisan
but ACF, after a deep reflection, decided to endorse Buhari. We
want to save Nigeria.
When he (Buhari) won (APC presidential primary), I did not
congratulate him. If he wins February 14 poll, I will not
congratulate him. I will only wish him good luck but I think
Buhari is the best thing to happen to us at this time. There
are so many issues on which we disagree but I think now, he
is the best thing that can happen to Nigeria.
Our army had been playing leading role in Africa, but now we
have to go to local hunters for help. It is a disgrace that the
insurgents have taken over virtually everything belonging to
us.
So, what are you talking about? To leave Nigeria in the hands
of this President? I think somebody must be crazy. So, I think
Arewa Consultative Forum is right.