I am not corrupt, Buhari tells Nigerians at Ebonyi rally

There was a large crowd turnout at the Pa Ngele Township Stadium
in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, venue for the All Progressives
Congress’ presidential campaign rally on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari said the large turnout had confirmed
that the people of the state were in support of his reelection.

According to him, he has never been convicted of corruption in
all the positions he has held in the country.

Buhari was Head of State (1983-85), governor of the defunct
North Eastern State (1975–1976) and chairman Petroleum Trust Fund
(1994-95).

He said, “I can assure you that I, as the President today, have
never been in a position of abusing trust. As a governor of the
whole six north eastern states, as minister of petroleum for over
three years and as a former head of state. I was arrested,
detained, investigated but they never found anything against
me.”

The President thanked the people of the state for receiving him,
saying they had demonstrated that they could not be bought.

The President, who said he took over the leadership of the
country at a time when it was battling with some challenges, added
that his government had made progress in the fight against
insurgence in the North-East.

Buhari also said his administration had made some progress in
the fight against corruption, food security and provision of
infrastructure nationwide.

He said, “Ebonyians have already voted with their conscience for
us (the APC), by the crowd seen here today.

“We came at a time when this country was facing some challenges.
For instance, in the North-East, about 17 local government areas
were under the shackles of Boko Haram, where they raped women,
kidnapped citizens and maimed them.

“But today, we have made progress. We have achieved a lot in the
fight against corruption. We have also, through the CBN, provided
soft loans for farmers and this has increased food sufficiency in
Nigeria and also improved the living standard of the farmers.”

Buhari added, “Of a truth, the Nigeria system does allow some of
these issues to be addressed; but, we are making progress.”

He urged the people of the state to vote for him and the APC
governorship candidate in the state, Sonni Ogbuoji.

The Minister of Transportation, who doubles as the Director of
the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, said
the party had no business with Governor David Umahi, who he said
was no threat to the APC in the state.