Ex-military officers back President Buhari’s second term bid

No fewer than 71 retired senior military officers have backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid to return to Aso-Rock Villa after the February 16 presidential election.

Receiving the retired former military officers during their visit to State House, Abuja yesterday, the President restated his aim of contesting elections four times, ending up in Supreme Court three times, before he finally won the election in 2015.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted the President as saying: “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.”

“We have no other country but Nigeria. We will stay here and salvage it together. Even if some people are blessed enough to send their children for training abroad, they will still have to come back here after their training.

“ We must, therefore, give our best for the country. The patriotism imbued in us by the military will ever remain relevant unless we do our best for this country.”

Describing Nigeria as ‘a fabulous country,’ President Buhari said if it were not so, the country could not have survived the damage done to it materially and morally in the past.

He thanked God that the country survived a 30-month civil war, during which it lost over two million lives, adding, “but we are still one country.”

The delegation comprised one Vice Admiral, two Lt-Generals, 15 Major Generals, two Rear Admirals, eight Air Vice-Marshals, 12 Brigadier-Generals, three Commodores, nine Air Commodores and and 17 former military administrators, among others.

Leader of the delegation, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd.), who was military administrator in Borno and Lagos states, said the retired 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.

“We support you totally in the presidential elections and will do whatever we can within the law to contribute to your emergence as the victor in the election to take Nigeria to the next level,” he stated.

The most senior retired officer, Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla (rtd.), a former Chief of Naval Staff, said future generations would acquit President Buhari creditably, adding: “We pledge our full support and continued loyalty.”