Abuja, Nigeria - In an emotion-laden speech, former head of State and presidential candidate of the Congress For Progressive Change (CPC), retired Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, said here Wednesday that Saturday's presidential election would be his last attempt at the Nigerian presidency. Speaking at an occasion which marked the end his party’s presidential campaign, Buhari said he was in the race to steer Nigerians away from what he called '12 years of painful and unforgettable look of dejection and despondency on your faces'. Buhari, who continuously wiped away tears as he read his speech, said he was seeking to replace the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government because it (the PDP) had done so much havoc to the Nigerian people and their reputation.

He said he joined the presidential race out of his personal conviction and concern for the welfare of the Nigerian people.

Claiming that he had never misappropriated money throughout his involvement in the management of public funds, Buhari challenged all the other presidential candidates in the race to make the same claim before the Nigerian public, if their conscience was clear on corruption.

Buhari, who also received two awards -- the Noble father of Nigerian youths and Icon of Nigerian democracy -- from the Nigerian Youths Organization, NYO, said that the PDP had left Nigerians without any hope of respite in the near future.

He stressed that the suffering majority of Nigerian citizens had witnessed 'the systematic raping and pillaging of the country’s economy by parties and individuals'.

“These are the horrific realities of life in our country today, and these are a mere fraction of the numerous difficulties, agonies and frustrations being faced daily by the vast majority of our people,' Buhari said, urging Nigerians to be determined to 'uproot the PDP government'.

This is Buhari's third run for the presidency, having contested unsuccessfully in 2003 and 2007.

Pana 14/04/2011