Buhari with APC leaders,

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. General Muhammadu Buhari flagged off his fourth national campaign for Nigeria’s presidency with a rally in Port Harcourt Tuesday morning, boosted by the defection of some members of the Peoples Democratic Party into the APC.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the party’s flag to the governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside.

The spirit of the campaign and its possibilities were well captured by party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, who described Buhari’s past shots at the biggest political prize in Nigeria, as that of a man, ahead of his time.

But to Oyegun, Nigeria’s contemporaneous moment has chosen his man: Buhari.

“General Buhari’s time has come,”, Oyegun told the cheering crowd, who he later engaged in a sing-song.

“If you want corruption stamped out, who will you vote for”, Oyegun asked.

The crowd yelled back: “Buhari”!

“If you want Boko Haram wiped out, who will you vote for?”,

Again the crowd, roared: “Buhari”

“If you want indiscipline stopped in Nigeria, who will you vote for?”.

For the third time, the crowd chanted: ‘Buhari’.

Buhari, sporting the trademark South south attire and the cap, also briefly addressed the crowd, explaining the choice of his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

He said the country is confronted with the fundamental problems of insurgency and the economy, both of which have been worsened by corruption. He said tackling them will require the support of all Nigerians.

“The fundamental issue facing this country is insecurity and the problem of the economy, which was being made worse by corruption.

“I assure you that we are going to finally assemble a competent team of Nigerians to efficiently manage this country. The damage that has been done to this country is great. The level of unemployment, the level of insecurity is intolerable.

“The damage has been done. It will take time, it will take patience, it will take
support from you to make sure that we succeed when we get there.’’

The well attended rally was attended by many party bigwigs from across the country, including the vice-presidential running mate, Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Raji Fashola, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, speaker of the House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal and of course, the host, Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The leaders thereafter departed to Uyo,in Akwa Ibom state, to address yet another rally.