President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday got another critical endorsement from
71 retired military generals, who expressed their readiness to work
tirelessly toward his re-election in the February 16 general elections.
The position of the generals led by Buba Marwa, a retired brigadier
general, was made known when they paid a courtesy call on Mr Buhari at the
State House, Abuja.
Mr Buhari retired as a major general.
Mr Marwa, who was military governor of Borno, and later military
administrator of Lagos State, said the retired top officers thought it
right to visit the president, “to say that you have represented your
constituency very well.”
“You announced a simple three-point agenda upon assumption of office
namely security; fighting corruption, and the economy. You have kept your
words as an officer and a gentleman.”
Mr Marwa added: “We the retired armed forces officers, representing 99.9%
of our colleagues say that we are proud of you; proud to be associated
with your administration; and proud to witness this era of Nigeria rising
again under your able leadership.
“We support you fully and totally in the presidential elections next week
and will do whatever we can within the law to contribute to your emergence
as the victor in the election in order to take Nigeria to the next
level.’’
The most senior of the retired officers, Jubrila Ayinla, a retired vice
admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff, said future generations would
acquit Mr Buhari as the “most creditable” personality of his time.
He added: “On behalf of the generals here today, I congratulate you on the
tremendous work done by this administration, and wish to state
unequivocally that we are proud of you and fully behind you in the
presidential elections next week.
“We pledge our full support and continued loyalty.”
Responding, Mr Buhari thanked the retired generals for their support and
reiterated that he would continue to do his best in serving the nation.
He revealed that he contested elections four times and ended up in Supreme
Court three times, before he finally won the election in 2015.
He said: “God has made this country great. We have human and material
resources, and may God continue to give us the right leaders.
“My objective is very clear, and I will continue to do my best.’’
The president recalled what he said in his days as military head of state
that.
“We have no other country but Nigeria. We will stay here and salvage it
together.”
Mr Buhari noted that even if one was blessed enough to send children for
training abroad, “after such training, they will still have to come back
here.
“We must, therefore, give our best for our country. The patriotism imbued
in us by the military will ever remain relevant. Let’s do our best for
this country.”
Mr Buhari, who described Nigeria as “a fabulous country”, said if it were
not so, “the country could not have survived the damage done to it
materially and morally in the past.
He, therefore, glorified God that after 30 months civil war, with over two
million lives lost, “we are still one country.”
He prayed that Nigeria would not lack people who could exploit its human
and material resources, adding that, “the higher you go in Nigeria, the
hotter it becomes, and not the other way round. But I can’t complain.
“I tried so hard to be here three times, ending up at the Supreme Court.
So, I can’t complain over anything I am going through now.’’
He described the military as “an institution that gives amazing
opportunities to know the country, its different peoples and cultures, and
I am very grateful that you have claimed me back as one of your own.
“I was governor of North-East, which is now six states, Minister of
Petroleum for over three years, Head of State; I was arrested and
detained, but did not lose my rank, because nothing was found against
me.’’
The delegation of the retired military generals was made of one Vice
Admiral, two Lt.-Generals, 15 Majors General and two Rear Admirals.
Others included eight Air Vice-Marshals, 12 Brigadier Generals, three
Commodores, nine Air Commodores, and 17 former military
governors/administrators.
(NAN)