Barely 24 hours after the Presidency lambasted promoters of the new political association, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as political liabilities, former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has hit back at President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, saying it is one with the trademark for corruption and impunity.

Former Head of State and Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the last general elections, Muhammadu Buhari, also said the APC was not afraid of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “and their electoral antecedents.”

He enthused that APC will do all it can to mobilise members from the grassroots and stop any plans of rigging.

Buhari and Tinubu spoke at the public presentation of a book, ‘Witness to History, Action Congress of Nigeria and the Struggle for Democracy, Liberty and Justice’, written by Publicity Secretary of ACN, Lai Mohammed.

The book contains about 1,200 of the author’s press releases and statements.

Tinubu, who was lead presenter of the book, said it was pitiable to see Presidential aides trying to tell a different story about Jonathan’s administration “despite feelers from all quarters about the rot going on.”

The President’s aides, he said, “can no longer hear the falconer, so they embellish facts. Where there is none, they attack the messengers rather than heed the message.”

“They have been there for too long. For the little good they have done, we acknowledge them. But let me set that aside. We have witnessed their empty history.

“Only two days ago, the U.S. Department of State in its annual country report identified pervasive impunity and corruption as the hallmark of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

“Impunity remains a reference at all levels of government. That is what the State Department said. The opposition has consistently passed the same message about this government.”

Stressing that the APC presents a better alternative, Tinubu said, “The ruling Peoples Democratic Party has been warned about rot in the judiciary. But they did not heed, they need to go.

“It has been warned against insecurity and insurgency in the Niger Delta, yet, it never listened, it is time for them to go. The storm is here. It is a positive storm. APC is the storm to effect needed change in Nigeria.”

He said the ACN which has now matured into the APC is tired of playing the opposition, boasting that it would change its status come 2015.

“We have been in the opposition for too long. In fact, we should stop using the term opposition. We are progressives. We are government in waiting because we are progressives.

“We are not just opposition. We stand for something. It is for this reason we oppose those in power. We do not oppose for the sake of opposing.

“We stand for peace, liberty and justice. Let me also add that we stand for prosperity, welfare, peace, empowerment, development, tolerance, unity, eradication of corruption and brotherly love.

“That is the list we are presenting to Nigerians. We hate no one and oppose nobody. However, we do oppose injustice, poverty, ignorance, indifference and bad governance.

“We also oppose anyone in power whose activities create condition that allows corruption, injustice, poverty, unemployment and insecurity to lives and properties to thrive.”

Buhari, who wrote the foreword of the book, said the ACN convention held last week in Lagos had kick-started the things to come for the APC.

He disclosed that the CPC will hold its last convention on May 11 in Abuja while the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) will hold its convention same day in Zamfara State.

“The merger is real. We are not afraid of anyone in so far as there is free and fair election. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) will hold its convention next month in Abuja, the same day the All Nigeria Peoples Congress (ANPP) will be holding theirs in Zamfara.

“We have agreed to work together and solve Nigeria’s problems. If we can consummate the merger and sensitise our constituencies across the country, we will win,” Buhari added.

He continued: “With this merger, we should mobilise our constituency, and I don’t think that any political party along the line will attempt to rig because there wouldn’t be any need for that.

“Nigerians are very serious about it and we are determined to continue with our plan. This merger is going to be rare. We are ready to ensure that the votes of Nigerians count in the next elections.”

Buhari also saluted the author’s courage, saying he earned his respect by the office he held and his doggedness to point out the shortcomings of the government at the centre without fear.

Lagos State Governor, who set the tone of the event with his welcome address, pooh-poohed the stance of the PDP declaring ‘no vacancy’ in Aso Rock come 2015.

He wondered what the basis for elections would be, if they (PDP) were already declaring their victory two years before time.

“The very notion that there would be a contest, suggests that there would be a vacancy in 2015. It is a very important revelation to the mindset of that team and therefore it is important to those who may listen to us, do not take things for granted.”

However, in a swift reaction, Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the PDP did not say there wouldn’t be elections.

He said, “There must be elections in this country, but what we are saying when we say there is no vacancy is true, unless if you work hard for it.”

On the merger by opposition parties, Mu’azu said he was glad it was successful, as it would help the ruling party not to rest on its oars.

“I was one of the first people to pray for the success of the merger. I did that so that we don’t take things for granted in this country.

Aliyu, who was Chairman of the occasion, described the author’s work as inspirational, patriotic and often straightforward reactions to public discourse and policies.

“He has etched his name in the mind of people as an opinion leader whose views cannot be ignored. I recommend this book to all members of the ruling and opposition parties’ scholars of contemporary Nigerian history,” the Governor said.

The book presentation held at the Civic Centre, Lagos, and attracted eminent Nigerians from all walks of life, including former FCT Minister, Nasir el-Rufai, first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande, ACN members of the Senate and House of Representatives, House of Assembly and State Executive Council.