Groups task President-elect on anti-corruption war, disability bill

THE leader of the Nnewi Importers Association, Pastor Longinus Chukwuma, has insisted that the incoming administration under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari could only record success in its much-vaunted readiness to fight corruption in all spheres of Nigerian life if it would not mind sacred cows and make it a total war.

Chukwuma, who stated this yesterday in Nnewi while addressing journalists on other expectations of importers from Buhari’s administration, said in order to restore the dignity of Nigeria and sanity within the system, the fight against corruption should be total irrespective of party affiliation, social status, ethnic of origin or religious bias.

The leader of the association, who stated that most Nigerians were known to be smart and were always ready to circumvent any given policy unfavourable to them, advised that measures marshalled out by Gen. Buhari’s administration to fight corruption should be stringently followed to achieve the desired objective.

He said that there was need for balanced federal appointments to reflect the federal character, adding that the in-coming President should see the entire Nigeria as his constituency irrespective of ethnic or religious background.

Besides, the Nigeria National Persons With Disabilities Multipurpose Co-operative Society has urged the President-elect to sign the disability bill into law immediately he assumes office in order to make life more meaningful to the physically-challenged people in the country.

In a congratulatory message to Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, signed by its Founder/National President, Taiye Titus Oloye, the group said it has no doubt that Buhari will lead Nigeria to the promised land.

The group, which expressed optimism that the much-awaited change has come, noting that it is their belief that the in-coming administration would prioritise the issues of anti-corruption, injustice and move the country forward, said: “We are congratulating you and your deputy over this well-deserved electoral victory. We pray the Almighty God to continue to guide, lead and protect you and give you the spirit of wisdom and ability to deliver your promises and take the country to greater height. Gen. Buhari, you are God’s choice to serve our father’s land.”

On the outcome of the presidential election, the importers’ leader said: “The will of the people is the will of God. One person must be a winner. We are not after who wins the election. We are more interested in the peace of the nation.

“We doff our cap for Jonathan. Indeed, he is the hero of Africa and what he did by congratulating the President-elect, Gen. Buhari, is not in the blood of the blackman. He saved so many lives and property by that singular act. He really did what he has always preached, that no personal ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.”

He advised lawyers handling various petitions at the elections petition tribunals not to delay in trashing out petitions before them in order to save time, cost and quell anxiety as he called for fair-hearing.

He said the President-elect was expected not to abandon good projects initiated by President Jonathan, adding that Buhari should consolidate on the gains of the out-going administration and improve on them, including the power sector.

He appealed to Buhari to implement to the letter the reports of the National Conference, which he said, should not be seen as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or All Progressives Congress (APC) document but one that concerned all Nigerians.