Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, amidst reactions, has doused speculation surrounding his second term ambition by personally confirming he will contest the 2019 presidential elections.
President Buhari made the confirmation after his personal assistant, Bashir Ahmad, first tweeted about it on Monday morning.
“Today at the National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), I announced my intention to run for a second term of Office in the 2019 Presidential Elections,” Buhari confirms.
This ends months of speculation about whether 74-year-old President Buhari plans to run for reelection.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have reacted to the Buhari’s declaration and key among them are Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former aide to the ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri.
“@MBuhari has declared his intention to seek for a fresh mandate.He should prepare himself for the biggest demystification in Nigeria’s history.A man whose legacy is nothing but blood, death, destruction, corruption,division,conflict,failure and carnage wants to run.He will FAIL!” Fani-Kayode posted on Twitter.
“It is a good thing that it was @Elrufai who announced President @MBuhari’s second term because his chances of re-election is as tall as Elrufai. A man whose supporters can’t declare one thing he has initiated and completed has declared us all fools by this 2nd term declaration.
“Since Buhari hasn’t initiated and completed even one project as #BuhariChallenge proves, I urge him to use 2019 election to redeem himself. Initiate and complete a free election and give Nigerians the opportunity to fulfill their desire to retire you from politics next February!
“The man knew that his 2nd term declaration is unpopular, unpleasant and unpalatable to the vast majority of Nigerians which is why he ran away to London as soon as he announced the news. One would have thought he is contesting for @Theresa_May’s job the way he dashes to the UK,” Omokri stated.
Part 1 of 2 of my most fervent prayers has just been answered. Buhari has announced to APC NEC (National Evil Committee) that he will seek re-election in 2019.
Part 2: to disgrace him out of office & prove that no man no matter how highly placed is near to God! Now loading 👌🏾
— Solakuti.com (@Solakutidotcom) April 9, 2018
Did he also announce to APC NEC his intention not to run away from a debate when that time comes? https://t.co/FzHK0NSjxJ
— Area_Boy (@Mege01) April 9, 2018
Buhari’s first term has been beset by poor health, which saw him spend months in the UK last year receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, before announcing his reelection bid, Buhari has been reported ready to leave Abuja for the United Kingdom today.
“Buhari will today leave Abuja for an official visit to Britain where he is due to hold discussions on Nigeria- British relations with Prime Minister Theresa May, prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled for 18th to 20th April,” the presidency said in a statement.
However, the statement did not mention if the President will undergo any medical checkups in the UK.
The statement did say the President will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Mr. Ben van Beurden in connection with Shell and other partners’ plan to invest $15b in Nigeria’s oil industry.
According to the Presidency, these investment ventures will lay the foundation for the next 20 years’ production and domestic gas supply.
Buhari will also in the UK renew discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, a good friend of the President, on inter-religious harmony in Nigeria and worldwide.
President Buhari defeated former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential elections.