As the presidential election slated for February 16 approaches, some Northern Elders under the auspices of Kungiyar Dattawan Arewa Initiative (KDAI), have maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari has been fair to all regions of the country.
Recall that some Northern Elders had last week endorsed the candidature of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
But speaking at a press conference on Saturday, convener of KDAI, Paul Tarfa said they decided to endorse Buhari after “a long and fruitful consultation with our members from all parts of the north.”
The retired major-general said in three years, the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has been able to tackle corruption that that prevented the country from attaining its pride in the comity of nations.
“We have made this choice after a deep reflection in what President Buhari stands for in the history, politics, social and moral life of Nigeria at this time,” he said.
“In the last three and a half years since he took over as president of this country, President Buhari and his administration waged a relentless fight against corruption in all aspects of our national life.
“That is why Nigerians should accord him another four years in the office in order to push forward with the fight.”
Tarfa said Buhari has succeeded in degrading the Boko Haram insurgents.
“A major achievement of the Buhari administration for which we in the north are justly proud of is in the agricultural sector, which is the mainstay of our economic life in northern Nigeria,” he said.
“The TraderMoni initiative and other Social Investment Programmes of the administration have greatly helped small scale traders, artisans and the unemployed to improve their lots.
“We are happy and proud that President Muhammadu Buhari has been just and fair to all parts of the country and we are sure that he will continue to do so if he is given the mandate to continue in office.”
The convener said if given another opportunity, Buhari will consolidate on the successes that he has recorded.
Aliyu Wamakko, senator representing Sokoto north; Paul Tarfa, retired major-general; and Sani Daura, former minister of agriculture and rural development; Abdullahi Adamu, senator representing Nasarawa west; and Paulen Tallen, former deputy governor of Plateau state; amongst others are part of the KDAI.
