URGES NIGERIANS TO BE VIGILANT

By NBF News

Former head of state, General Mohammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to protect their votes during the 2011 general elections. General Buhari (retd), who made the call in Lafia yesterday while declaring open the Conference for Democratic Change (CPC) office, also called on the people to come out en masse and vote for his party, because 'it is the only party that can deliver the dividends of democracy to you.'

He further explained that Nigeria was underdeveloped because of the presence of unpatriotic people at the helms of affairs, pointing out that the ruling PDP has failed the people of Nigeria.

Buhari who expressed concern over the level of insecurity in the country, pointed out that 'vices such as armed robbery and kidnapping were as a result of bad leadership.' While thanking the large crowd for receiving him and his entourage, General Buhari promised not to let the people down if elected as president in 2011.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of CPC has inaugurated a Publicity Committee in the state.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Durojaye Bisi-Williams said the setting up of the committee for the party in the state was necessary to create awareness through popular means. The committee chairman admitted that the challenges before the party were many and could only be tackled through effective campaign and positive publicity.

He likened the task before the party to that of a new brand in the market, saying everything possible must be done for it to gain acceptance and recognition in the market to gain loyalty.

'Our party is a good brand and every member must be proud of it, and market it to the larger society through all the available tools of communication. 'We have a big task at hand and it is not the job of publicity committee alone but that of all the members of CPC in Lagos State and in the country, so that we can achieve our aim in the 2011 election,' he noted.

Mr. Bisi-Williams further stated that the committee was ready to work round the clock for the party to achieve its aim in the 2011 general elections. He said all available means of communication would be employed by the committee to gain loyalty for the party in the state.

Other members of the committee are Mr. Ogunsola M. O., chairman, Ayobo/Ipaja LCDA, Alimosho Local Government Area (vice chairman); Mrs. P. N. Mbanugo, state deputy woman leader (secretary), Prince George A. Fakoya, chairman, Shomolu/Bariga LGA (assistant secretary) and Alhaji Bello Black, state treasurer (treasurer).