As military head of state, I refused to devalue the Naira – Buhari

The Presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, has said that insecurity and corruption are the major problems militating against the development of Nigeria as a nation and promised to tackle the menace, if elected president on Feb. 14.

Buhari said this when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo at the Government House, Owerri on Wednesday.

He called on the Igbos to support APC, saying that one of the objectives of his government, if elected, was to secure the country and efficiently manage it.

He said that, if voted into power, his administration would decisively deal with terrorism, kidnapping and corruption at all levels.

On economy, Buhari decried the alarming rate of inflation in the country and wondered how local businesses could survive with the rate of exchange of Naira to Dollar.

He, therefore, promised to improve on the economy.

“In 1984 as the military head of state, I refused to devalue the Naira, refused to remove subsidy on petroleum products.

“We equally made an undertaken to meet our obligation on foreign debt – medium and long term. All these we did within the period we were in power.”

Earlier, Gov. Okorocha lauded Gen. Buhari for his zero tolerance to corruption as well as his vision for Nigeria.

He requested, among other things, that a fair share of political positions be allotted to the South-East as well as creation of an additional state to make for equity and fairness among the six geo-political zones of the country.

He also requested for the upgrading of the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport to an International Airport as well as the rehabilitation of Enugu – Onitsha Road, Enugu – Port Harcourt Road, and Aba –Ikot Ekpene Road, among others, if elected.

“My General, I ask for nothing but these few things and I know you can do it. But for the votes, my people will give you their vote,” he said.

APC Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Sen. Chris Ngige and other national leaders of the party accompanied Buhari during the visit. (NAN)