Rig Buhari out, face trouble

Former Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Mamman Danmusa, says he’s supporting former head of state and presidential candidate of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, because of the situation in the country now

“If these people try to be funny, certainly, Nigeria will turn into another Somalia and the prediction of the United States that Nigeria would by 2015, may perhaps come to pass. But we don’t hope so.”

According to him, Buhari stands a good chance now more than ever before, he’s hugely popular with voters and the establishment would be inviting trouble if the former head of state is again manipulated out of the presidency. However, he said there would not be any trouble if Buhari loses out in a free and fair contest.

He spoke to Daily Sun in Katsina. He was excited at the defection of former chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to CPC. He also stressed that it is imperative that Nigeria conducts credible polls this year. Excerpts:
What is your reaction to the resignation of the chairman of Funtua Local Government Area to seek senatorial ticket on the platform of the CPC?

This is a sign that God has answered Nigerians’ prayers for positive change. Alhaji Muntari Dandutse is a known grassroots politician. With him joining the CPC, the party is now much stronger and by joining the Senate race, he would mobilize the people. The CPC will have no problem. We sincerely welcome him, we know who he is.

What is your take on the growing defection of some prominent PDP members to CPC?
Really, God is so merciful to Nigeria because the country is on the brink. I too believe that if we do not get our act right this time around, Nigeria will be in trouble. There are good signs that our good leader, Gen. Buhari, would emerge as the Nigerian leader. But if these people try to be funny, certainly, Nigeria would be another Somalia. Then the prediction of USA that Nigeria would by 2015 disintegrate may come to pass. But we don’t hope so.

Are there strategies in place to guide against the crisis prompted by the harvest of decampees from PDP?
We are democrats and this had been demonstrated in our last congress here in Katsina. Despite some protests which is natural, it is obvious that the congress which we conducted, was free and fair. Our national convention has shown that really that is the tradition, and that is what Nigerians want, that every vote should count this time around. We have no doubt that once the people are wisely guided and they are given the right to exercise their right, I think we will be on the right course.