The Presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday in Abuja asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government to conduct a fresh presidential polls.
Buhari spoke to THISDAY on a day his party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) claimed it has evidence to prove that it won last Saturday�s Presidential election and vowed to “reclaim the mandate freely given by Nigerians”.
Buhari, who dismissed speculations that he was in secret discussion with the President-elect, Governor Umar Yar’Adua, called on Nigerians not to recognise any government formed on the basis of last weekend election but to press for a re-election.
He also vowed that he would never support or serve any government headed by Yar’Adua based on the just concluded Presidential election because it is, according to him, unconstitutional and illegitimate.
When asked what he would do if he failed after exploring avenues for redress and whether he would cooperate with Yar’Adua since both of them are from the same state, Buhari said: �well your first question depends on my party and that is exactly what I said on July 1, 2005 when Supreme Court handed the judgment to us.
“But the question of serving the country, as a citizen I will serve the country but not under an unknown government, an ignoble government that was not elected. I cannot serve under such government because it was not duly elected and the whole world cannot be wrong�.
Buhari also stated that he would explore all legal means, including diplomatic options “since observers from all over the world have adjudged the election a fraud.”
He further explained that as an individual, he would not want to pursue the matter in any Tribunal based on his 2003 election but maintained the ANPP as a party has taken a position that it will contest the results of the election in the Tribunal.
He urged party supporters and Nigerians not to compromise but to reject Yar�Adua government. �We have said to the people not to accept Yar�Adua government being sworn in so if Obasanjo dares Nigerians then its up to Nigerians to respond appropriately�.
Meanwhile, his party, ANPP yesterday also claimed that it has sufficient evidence that it won the Presidential election.
The party national Chair-man and Vice Presidential candidate, Chief Edwin Ume Ezeoke stated at the party�s National Secretariat that while it is still collating reports from the country, it had directed all contestants to gather as much evidence as they could for the party to head straight to the Tribunals immediately.
Condemning the role played by security agents in scuttling the election, the party said it �will immediately commence work with members of our party elected into the National Assembly with a view to sponsor an amendment Bill that will create truly independent INEC, free from government interference�.
Furthermore, it urged the incoming National Assembly to commence the review of the Nigerian Constitution �to accommodate state and local government police� in order to eliminate the ruling party�s monopoly of security agencies.
It however called on all party members to eschew violence but ensure the recovery of their stolen victories within the ambit of law while calling for the immediate release of its party members detained in different prisons all over the country.