Breaking News: I have finally decided to contest for 2019 – Buhari

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…Buhari remains President to beat in 2019 – Gov Shettima

*Sidi Ali, Balarabe Musa, Ahmed Makarfi, others react

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared for the 2019 presidential race, saying his declaration was owing to pressures from stakeholders within the governing All Progressive Congress, APC.

He gave indications that he has consulted widely with Nigerians concerning his fate for the presidency, hence his declaration to re-contest the number one seat in the country.

The President made the declaration formally at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All Progressive Congress (APC) where he also granted waivers to the John Odigie-Oyegun led National Working Committee to seek re-election as Party Chairman if he so wishes.

According to the President, he declared at the APC NEC meeting as a mark of honour for the party officials.

Meanwhile, Buhari said his suggestion that waivers be granted the party executive members both at the local, state and national levels was informed by the need to avoid court litigations that might jeopardize the chances of the party in retaining power in 2019.

He expressed satisfaction with the report submitted by the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who led a technical committee to resolve the contentious issue of tenure elongation for Oyegun and his NWC members.

The President re-echoed that it was important that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.

He said, “I want to specifically thank members of the Technical Committee for a job well done within the limited time frame.

“It shows a great sense of commitment to the ideals of our party with a view to consolidating and positioning the party to continue delivering good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians.

“With the present state of the party and based on the report submitted by the Technical Committee, It is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party.

“Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.

“Upon my review of the Report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.

“Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the Party’s Congresses and Convention where election of National Executive Committee members would be held. This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of Court compelling the party to hold its Congresses.

“I also believe that the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by our Party constitution.

“However, considering the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, I am not sure of the practicality of present serving officers’ ability to meet this condition.

“Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules.

“Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“In this circumstance, the Party should officially issue a statement on the above Waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us.

“Just like our party symbol; “the Broom,” which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the Grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitize Nigeria’s political environment.

“Once again, I welcome you all to this meeting with the hope that we will, in our deliberations today, conduct ourselves without rancour and promote the highest interest of the party and the nation.”

Recall that Buhari had at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of March 27 in Abuja, said NWC’s tenure extension decided at NEC’s meeting on February 27 was illegal and unconstitutional.

The NEC had extended the tenure of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC and other executive committees of the party across all levels in the country by one year, starting from June.

The President had explained that the decision was already causing acrimony within the party as some of its members who were not comfortable with the matter had taken it to court.

Following the president’s rejection of the extension he had called a closed-door meeting with the APC governors last week Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa, but the governors emerged from the meeting divided, a development that necessitated another NEC meeting by the party’s leadership.

Sidi Ali, Balarabe Musa, Ahmed Makarfi, others react

Some Nigerians have welcomed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019, saying it was a good decision, as it would help consolidate the gains recorded by his administration, if re-elected.

However, some members of the opposition political parties said in separate interviews in Sokoto and Kaduna that the President won’ t find it easy going for second term.

“The APC will surely make a mistake by nominating Buhari to re-contest.

“Buhari is a good leader but in recognition of his age and health status he should have rested, as he had spent most time during this tenure on medical treatment abroad.”

Alhaji Sidi Ali, Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, said, “Buhari has all it takes to re-contest and the decision is a welcome development.

“He is governing well and has the capacity to continue with the good work, and I am sure more good transformations will happen in the country, if he is re-elected.”

Malam Kasimu Chiyama, Chairman Dadin Kowa Youth Association in Kwannawa, Sokoto state expressed joy over the announcement.

“We will support him fully because he is the only candidate that has been good to Nigerians.”

Two Sokoto residents, Hajia Hauwa’u Magode and Abdullahi Maiyogot expressed excitement over President Buhari’s position and prayed Allah to continue to guide him.

However, Mr Samson Samuel, a student, faulted the decision, saying the President should consider his age and health status.

Also, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former Governor of Kaduna State welcomed the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019.

Musa, a chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) said in a telephone interview that his party would, however, come up with a strong candidate to challenge Buhari in the elections.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is welcome on board, but we want to assure Nigerians that the PRP has a presidential candidate to field in the 2019 general elections,” he said

Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, former National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP), said in a text message that: “It’s no news that he is contesting, it would have been news if he had announced the opposite.”

The Sokoto state Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, said Nigerians should vote out the APC or prepare for “another four years of hunger.”

“Buhari’s age and health condition are all in Allah’s hand, but what is more of concern is good governance and ability to transform the country better.

“Nigerians should vote PDP to avoid continuous hunger and maladministration that subject people to hardships,” Aliyu said.

Those insinuating that he will not find it easy getting re-elected have been told not to worry as it is not their place to decide.  “They have asked the President not to seek re-election but now he has sought it.  What will be honourable by them is to test their own popularity with him at election,” a pro-Buhari Nigerian said.

President Buhari had announced his intention to go for second term at the National Executive Council meeting of APC held in Abuja.