The leading opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the retired generals reported to have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term bid.
The party said the retired general were not worth their salt as it described the development as unfortunate considering the killing of soldiers in the different attacks by insurgents and bandits in some parts of the country.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, described the endorsement as an attempt to create a false aura about Buhari.
His words: “We consider this endorsement as name dropping just to create an aura that does not exist around President Buhari. Young officers are being killed and no general has spoken on how to curb the insurgency and banditry.
“Is it now that Nigerians are tired of the governance style of President Buhari that some acclaimed Generals will be endorsing him? When bandits are taking over Zamfara State and even Katsina the home state of Buhari? The PDP does not believe any General worth his salt will do that.”
Some retired generals, led by former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, visited Buhari on Monday and pledged their support for his second term bid.
Said Marwa at the occasion: “We the retired armed forces officers, representing 99.9% of our colleagues say that we are proud of you; proud to be associated with your administration; and proud to witness this era of Nigeria rising again under your able leadership. We support you fully and totally in the presidential elections next week and will do whatever we can within the law to contribute to your emergence as the victor in the election in order to take Nigeria to the next level.”
The most senior of the retired officers, Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla, a former Chief of Naval Staff, also spoke.
His words: “On behalf of the generals here today, I congratulate you on the tremendous work done by this administration and wish to state unequivocally that we are proud of you and fully behind you in the presidential elections next week. We pledge our full support and continued loyalty.”
The delegation was made up of 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 17 former military governors/administrators, among others.
