ABUJA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Former Nigerian military ruler Muhammadu Buhari was on Tuesday adopted by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) as its presidential candidate for this year's election.
He was adopted by a yes voice vote of delegates of the party at the national convention of the party held at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
Buhari was the only person who offered to contest the presidency on the party's ticket.
Senator Faruq Bunza moved for the ratification and adoption of Buhari and the delegates approved through a unanimous voice vote.
In his speech, Buhari said the task ahead was how to mobilize democratic forces to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) which he said had not governed the country very well.
On why he had to leave his former party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the retired General said ANPP leadership exhibited unprincipled leadership, particularly by going to form a government of national unity with the PDP which he accused of rigging the last two general elections.
He promised Nigerians better leadership if voted into government as the country's president in 2011.
The former military chief said he would offer desired leadership if he emerged winner at both the party's primaries and the general elections.
He thanked Nigerians for their solidarity and support, which, he said he had enjoyed over the years and assured the party members that victory was definitely theirs.
He stressed the need for them to protect their votes to ensure that their dream of enthroning good leadership in the country was transformed into reality.
He charged the party's members to come together to ensure victory at all levels in the general elections.Buhari has twice contested for the same office.
In 2003, Buhari contested for the presidency under the platform of ANPP and lost to former President Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP). He appealed against the election result but lost at the Supreme Court.
He re-contested for the same position, using the same platform but lost to late President Umaru Yar'Adua in 2007.
Buhari, as usual, also contested the result of the 2007 elections but again lost to the wisdom of the Supreme Court.
However, Buhari is generally adjudged as a credible aspirant, judging from his antecedents when he ruled the country as a military Head of State.
His zero tolerance for corruption, roles in the ouster of the second republic civilian administration of Shehu Shagari in 1984 may work against him among the political class.
Notwithstanding, his overwhelming popularity, particularly among the ordinary Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion and geo-politics, is his greatest strength.
