Jonathan has run out of ideas – Buhari

 Jonathan has run out of ideas – Buhari

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 presidential election, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has said President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party have run out of ideas.

He also noted that the administration had equally run out of excuses for its inability to provide quality leadership for Nigerians.

Buhari said this in a New Year message to Nigerians on Wednesday.

He noted that announcements made by the Presidency and its agencies over the last one month, had dampened the morale of many Nigerians.

According to him, President Jonathan and the ruling party have devalued the Naira which means that the price of goods and services will rise thus increasing the burden of ordinary Nigerians.

In the statement signed on his behalf by the Director, Communications of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Dele Alake, Buhari said by Presidency’s own admission, he was promising Nigerians a tougher 2015.

Buhari was quoted as saying, “Our opponents have not only run out of ideas, they have run out of excuses for failure.

He said, “Indeed, the Presidency has declared a regime of austerity that will be executed in 2015. To quote the press reports, the President himself has declared that year 2015 shall be “tough” on our people.

“Against this season of despair foisted on our people, I bring to you, a New Year Message of hope and optimism. I share the anxiety of the middle class and the poor who have borne the brunt of the policies of this government for so long with increasing burden.

“I share the fear of the unemployed whose hopes for new jobs in the New Year is being dashed because companies will cut jobs to escape spiral inflation. I share the concerns of the manufacturers whose import-dominated production will be challenged by the austerity measures.”

Buhari urged leaders to eschew the cynical habit of wishing Nigerians a happy New Year when their actions were calculated to undermine their happiness.

He pointed out that it was impossible for the vast majority of Nigerians to enjoy happiness given the scale of corruption, impunity and indiscipline that currently incapacitated the Nigerian state from fulfilling its obligations to the Nigerian people.

He said the country desperately needed a disciplined and visionary leadership that had the capacity to fight corruption.

“It is only some Nigerians who have access to the corridors of power and benefit from the monumental graft that characterises governance in the country today that can enjoy their perverse and ultimately futile form of happiness,” Buhari said.

Buhari called on Nigerians to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party, promising that his administration would ensure “cheaper electricity, food security, accelerated power supply, integrated transport network, free education, affordable health care service and effective security of life and property.”

According to him, Nigerians cannot enjoy the dividends of democracy owing to corruption, impunity and indiscipline that currently incapacitate the country.

He added, “Nigerians must be the sole object and focus of government. Man must be the pivot around which governance revolves. The more the potential of citizens are maximised within any nation, the higher will be the prospects of that nation for attaining greatness. The first great task facing Nigeria today, therefore, is to put in place a government that can guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians throughout the length and breadth of our country. This is because Nigerians must first of all be alive, safe and free from fear before they can exercise and utilise their talents for the benefit of their nation.

“I declare, that, collectively, we can bring an end to this season of despair; we can bring an end to this avoidable fear; we can bring an end to this needless anxiety. On February 14, 2014, the Almighty offers us a historic opportunity to chart a new course out of the tragedy that we have found ourselves; History offers us a chance to correct the errors of the past. Great Nigerian people! This is our chance!

“…My message to you is to use your voter card on February 14, 2015 to liberate our country by voting for a real happy new year for yourselves.

“This is the type of leadership I offer and for which I humbly seek the mandate of Nigerians at the polls this New Year. I am confident that great days are ahead of Nigerians. I therefore enjoin us all to keep hope alive. The glory and pride of Nigeria will be restored both internally and externally this New Year. Renew your faith that, for Nigeria, the best is on the way and by the grace of the Almighty, I shall meet you there. Happy New Year!”