I can’t impose Sharia on Nigeria, says Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, says he is not a Sharia advocate as peddled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose members he dismissed as jittery because they know that voters are upbeat for a game changer.

He made the point on his facebook page, “Team Buhari-Osinbajo”.

PDP chieftains, including former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s former Political Adviser, Akin Osuntokun, have alleged that Buhari sought implementation of Sharia in Nigeria in 2002.

But Buhari countered that the allegation was borne out of desperation because his opponents cannot fault his credentials.

“Because they can’t attack my record, they accuse me of ethnic jingoism; they accuse me falsely of religious fundamentalism. Because they cannot attack our record, they accuse us falsely of calling for election violence – when we have only insisted on peace.

“And yet I was head of state of this country and of course we never imposed Sharia. All my vice presidential candidates have been either Igbo or Yoruba, and always Christian.

“I have and will continue to condemn those who burn God’s places of worship, be they churches or mosques and wish God’s judgment upon them.

“As your president, their punishment won’t stop there – we will also ensure such elements are found, arrested and face the full wrath of the law as punishment for their crimes against our country,” he pledged.

Buhari, military Head of State between December 1983 and August 1985, explained why he wants the top job in the Villa in a civilian garb.

“Many people ask me: why am I running for office again? And I ask them – what has changed since I began this mission? Can you honestly, truly say to yourself that our country has changed for the better?

“Are our children safe when they go to school? Are our parents safe when we leave them at home? Is the naira in your bank account of greater value today than it was four years ago?”