14.17

Senator Abu Ibrahim giving the votes of thanks said no one sleeps with his two eyes closed in Nigeria today. “The insecurity situation is so pandemic that it has to be arrested,” he said. He also said there is rampant corruption cases even before the Senate and that Nigeria needs someone like Buhari to the rescue. Melaye closed the event by saying all are expected to return by May 2015 for the inauguration of GMB as president.

14.10

We in APC have pledge to bring change to Nigeria. Agricultural productivity and taking out poverty and proving food security will be a focal point. We will restore honour and integrity to public service and also tackle corruption ”Nigeria is now a country where stealing is not corruption”.

14.04

“There is no point in holding election if it is not free and fair” Whether PDP likes it or not, injustice cannot endure. Nigeria has never been so polarised by a sinking government We in APC have resolved to stop them in their track. There is now general insecurity in the land, Boko Haram, armed robbery, kidnapping e.t.c.The economy continues to degenerate while government continues to announce fantastic figures and fathom economic growth.

13.57

GMB began his speech by paying tribute to Nigerians who are grappling with poverty and insecurity “due to insurgencies by Godless people in the name of Boko Haram, marauding murders in communities and kidnappers.” He also commended the armed offices and the police in their efforts to return peace to the country urging them to “continue until victory is won” “I humbly wish to present you, before all Nigerians and before God seeking to be elected as APC presidential candidate,” GMB said.

13.54

Mr. Ogbe also dispelled rumours that GMB is a religious fanatic, saying that if he was a fanatic, himself, and Amaechi, Oshiomhole, Oyegun who are all christians will have nothing to do with him. He said God brought everyone together for a reason. He described GMB as a quiet and rational human who “had power but never abused it” He said GMB is a man of unusual character who has to run for office because Nigeria is in serious trouble-Terrorism in the North East and high level corruption- which is being covered under propaganda. He said Nigeria needs Buhari and the other APC candidates. ” we send out greetings and sympathy to the people of the North East ‎ and the parents of the Chibok girls. “We commend the people behind the #BringBackOurGirls. We understand the government is planning to take them to court, let the court room be large enough to accommodate all of us. Mr. Ogbe now invited ‎GMB to be accompanied by other VIP’s to come to the podium and give his declaration speech

13.40

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, speaking on behalf of other governors said change is in the air. He said in the past whenever progressives have such gatherings you hardly see any governor but that “today whenever APC have gatherings, you see 14 governors, that is why I say change is in the air,” Amaechi said. ‎”The other party doesn’t have any candidate like Buhari, but if they have even half let them show us,” he said. He also said it was wrong for the PDP and the President to take credit for the fight against Ebola. “Apart from announcing the number of casualties, what have they done for us”. “Kano, Lagos and Rivers is not in their hands, tell me how they will win. We will give them the Osun treatment,” he said. He also called on all APC members to make sure they have their voters card so that “whoever emerge as our party candidate we will vote for him.”. He also recalled that President Jonathan said in 2013 that he was the most abused president but that by the following year Nigerians will dance and praise his name because they will have enough power. “Are you praising him and do you have power?” Mr. Amaechi asked. Next to speak is the coordinator of GMB’s campaign Audu Ogbe who said we discussed the crisis of the youth last night and we have concluded that “we must find you jobs”. Mr. Ogbe went ahead to read a brief biography of GMB

13.27

General Buhari was a Federal Commissioner for Petroleum; Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Governor of North-Eastern State; Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces;  Chairman, Petroleum Trust Fund [PTF]; three-time presidential candidate [twice for the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and once for the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC]. This is his fourth time of aspiring for president.

13.26

13.21

Also speaking on behalf of the youth is Comrade Jasper who said various promises of employment have been made since 1999 but such promises were never kept. He said GMB initiated and signed for Nigeria’s two existing refineries. He urged the youth to vote for him so that he will come back and build more. He also recalled the wonderful days of PTF and stated that many roads in the South East are in bad shape and that “Jonathan laid foundation for the second Niger bridge two times that is the road I pass to go to my village, there is no single brick being laid in the name of second Niger bridge. All this things you are doing to us Jonathan, there is God o!” Jasper said.

13.17

Melaye “we are here to stop those who said there is a difference between stealing and corruption, we are here to stop those who said they had no shoe to deceive Nigerians, General Buhari had a shoe” Speaking on behalf of women is Rabi Ishaq said. Nigerian women should respond to the call by the APC. She said Nigerians yearn for and must get change. “We are here to endorse our one and only GMB who has always stood for the good of all. “Women of Nigeria you are the voters, and you have voted in rulers and not leaders. It is time you vote in leaders” ” We belief GMB can change most of the ills we have in Nigeria within the shortest possible time. Please support our one and only Mandela. He has no parallel,” she said.

13.16

Next is goodwill message from various institutions. First to speak is Senator Olorumimbe Mamora on behalf of the elders of the APC. He said there is a wind of change that is blowing and that an idea whose time has come, no one can stop it. He said there is no doubt that an APC government will be in place next year. He said the country cannot afford to continue with insecurity and economic deprivation. “We have to work to achieve success,” he said. Also speaking, on behalf of Senators is the former Governor of Benue state, George Akume. Mr. Akume said the National Assembly had a very exciting session with General Buhari last night. He said they asked Mr. Buhari how he will manage the Oil industry, adding that if his response is relayed to the gathering “you will all weep for this country”. Mr. Akume also said the APC is richly endowed with the great human Resources anyone can find in any part of the world. He said his point is buttressed by the way various aspirants under the APC are campaigning without recourse to abuses. “Difference without division, rivalry in fellowship,” he said.

13.09

General Buhari is making a fresh bid to return to power more than 29 years after he was ousted as military head of state by his then Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Babangida. A strict disciplinarian, Mr. Buhari chased the Shehu Shagari civilian regime from power on December 31, 1983. On August 27, 1985, Babangida and his fellow coup plotters sacked him, locking him up for years. His mother died while in detention.

13.02

The former Governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Sylva, giving the welcome address, said Nigeria’s economy today needs revamping. He said security situation is in dire need of resuscitation and that the over 200 girls from Chibok are still somewhere no one knows. He said Nigeria’s problems are well known, but that there is good news because the solution to Nigeria’s problems is at Eagle Square today, General Muhammadu Buhari. He also said Buhari has occupied almost all cadre of offices, but is running for office again because of Nigerians and not himself. “We are very happy that he has decided to come out of retirement to help us stabilise this country, so that the younger ones can carry on with the development of this nation,” he said. For those who say Buhari is too old, he said “we are not going to talk about age in this campaign because we don’t want to be accused of using the inexperience of our opponent. “Buhari brings experience and Integrity to this campaign. He is a man of the people today and he will be the president of the People come 14 February 2015,” Mr. Sylva concluded.