2019: How APC governors, PDP leaders, others reacted to Buhari’s declaration
Leaders of Nigeria’s ruling party and those of the opposition parties
reacted differently to President Muhammadu Buhari’s announcement on
re-election on Monday.
Mr Buhari told a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC that in response “to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019,” he has decided to accept the offer.
He said at the closed door meeting that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.
Membership of the NEC comprises the president, his vice, leadership of the National Assembly, elected governors as well as chairpersons of the party across the states among others.
For many APC governors, the president’s declaration was great news.
The first governor to react to the declaration was Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Mr El-Rufai who often refers to himself as a “Buharist”, took to his verified Twitter page to post a “Breaking News” announcing the president’s decision immediately.
“BREAKING NEWS: PMB has just announced to APC NEC his intention to run for a second term of office. Alhamdulillah. – Nasir El-Rufai,” the governor wrote.
Also, chairman of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, described Mr Buhari’s declaration as a response to a clarion call from Nigerians of goodwill.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, in Owerri on Monday, Mr Okorocha said the president had performed very well in his first tenure.
He said Mr Buhari’s second term bid was a “right choice in the right direction”.
He said the president’s declaration would end the “cheap blackmail” from the opposition over his silence towards his ambition in 2019.
The Imo governor expressed optimism that APC would win the presidential election in 2019.
On his part, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno said the president’s decision to seek re-election in 2019 ”is the right thing that happened to the nation’s political system in recent times.”
Mr. Shettima stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Monday.
The governor said members of the APC, including the 24 governors elected on the platform of the party, had expressed their support.
“We are fully in support of his decision and it is part of democratic culture: traditionally, the president has the right of first refusal of the candidature of the party.
“So, it’s not something that is unusual or unwarranted or unconstitutional, he has done the right thing, he is going to contest and we are solidly behind him.” Mr Shettima said.
On whether the president consulted with APC leaders before announcing his decision to seek re-election, Mr Shettima said Mr Buhari was not under any obligation to ”consult governors or anybody.”
The main opposition party, PDP, described Mr Buhari’s announcement as an internal affair of the APC.
The party in a statement on Monday by Kola Ologbondiyan, its publicity secretary, said his declaration only makes him an aspirant not a candidate of the party till primaries are conducted.
“The declaration has placed President Buhari among the ranks of aspirants seeking to be the President of the Federal Republic, effective May 29, 2019.
“Until he becomes the candidate of the APC, we will not spend precious time on his mere show of interest,” the party said.
For a former PDP chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, “It’s no news that he is contesting, it would have been news if he had announced the opposite.”
For Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Nigeria does not need Mr Buhari in 2019.
Mr Fayose told journalists in his state that Mr Buhari would “kill Nigeria” if re-elected.
He said Mr Buhari was too old to lead the country well and has “bungled the opportunity given him by his woeful performance.”
Balarabe Musa, a former Governor of Kaduna State and head of an opposition party, PRP, “welcomed the declaration” by Mr Buhari to seek re-election.
Also, the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Oye, said President Muhammadu Buhari was qualified to present himself for re-election.
Mr Oye, in a statement in Awka on Monday said as a Nigerian, Mr Buhari had the constitutional right to seek another term in office.
“He is qualified, so we have no problem with his declaration to run for second term.”
Similarly, Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Anambra, Bartho Igwedibia, said it was inalienable right of Buhari to seek re-election if he wished.
Mr Igwedibia said only the Nigerian masses had the final say on who would preside over their affair.
He called for free and credible elections that would yield outcome reflecting the wishes of the people.
“The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees two terms for all elected political office holders; so Buhari is qualified to enjoy that right.
“There is nothing wrong with his declaration and there is nothing special about it, too.
“Nigerians are the people that have the ultimate say on who will lead them; every person, including myself, can declare but the people will speak with their votes.
Nobody should stop anybody; my take is that voter awareness should be intensified and people should get their Permanent Voter Cards in order to speak with their votes.
“All we want is free and fair election where people can vote and their votes should count,” he said.
Mr Buhari told a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC that in response “to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019,” he has decided to accept the offer.
He said at the closed door meeting that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.
Membership of the NEC comprises the president, his vice, leadership of the National Assembly, elected governors as well as chairpersons of the party across the states among others.
For many APC governors, the president’s declaration was great news.
The first governor to react to the declaration was Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Mr El-Rufai who often refers to himself as a “Buharist”, took to his verified Twitter page to post a “Breaking News” announcing the president’s decision immediately.
“BREAKING NEWS: PMB has just announced to APC NEC his intention to run for a second term of office. Alhamdulillah. – Nasir El-Rufai,” the governor wrote.
Also, chairman of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, described Mr Buhari’s declaration as a response to a clarion call from Nigerians of goodwill.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, in Owerri on Monday, Mr Okorocha said the president had performed very well in his first tenure.
He said the president’s declaration would end the “cheap blackmail” from the opposition over his silence towards his ambition in 2019.
The Imo governor expressed optimism that APC would win the presidential election in 2019.
On his part, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno said the president’s decision to seek re-election in 2019 ”is the right thing that happened to the nation’s political system in recent times.”
Mr. Shettima stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Monday.
The governor said members of the APC, including the 24 governors elected on the platform of the party, had expressed their support.
“We are fully in support of his decision and it is part of democratic culture: traditionally, the president has the right of first refusal of the candidature of the party.
“So, it’s not something that is unusual or unwarranted or unconstitutional, he has done the right thing, he is going to contest and we are solidly behind him.” Mr Shettima said.
On whether the president consulted with APC leaders before announcing his decision to seek re-election, Mr Shettima said Mr Buhari was not under any obligation to ”consult governors or anybody.”
 |
| Ayodele fayose |
The party in a statement on Monday by Kola Ologbondiyan, its publicity secretary, said his declaration only makes him an aspirant not a candidate of the party till primaries are conducted.
“The declaration has placed President Buhari among the ranks of aspirants seeking to be the President of the Federal Republic, effective May 29, 2019.
“Until he becomes the candidate of the APC, we will not spend precious time on his mere show of interest,” the party said.
For a former PDP chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, “It’s no news that he is contesting, it would have been news if he had announced the opposite.”
For Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Nigeria does not need Mr Buhari in 2019.
Mr Fayose told journalists in his state that Mr Buhari would “kill Nigeria” if re-elected.
He said Mr Buhari was too old to lead the country well and has “bungled the opportunity given him by his woeful performance.”
Balarabe Musa, a former Governor of Kaduna State and head of an opposition party, PRP, “welcomed the declaration” by Mr Buhari to seek re-election.
Also, the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Oye, said President Muhammadu Buhari was qualified to present himself for re-election.
Mr Oye, in a statement in Awka on Monday said as a Nigerian, Mr Buhari had the constitutional right to seek another term in office.
“He is qualified, so we have no problem with his declaration to run for second term.”
Similarly, Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Anambra, Bartho Igwedibia, said it was inalienable right of Buhari to seek re-election if he wished.
Mr Igwedibia said only the Nigerian masses had the final say on who would preside over their affair.
He called for free and credible elections that would yield outcome reflecting the wishes of the people.
“The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees two terms for all elected political office holders; so Buhari is qualified to enjoy that right.
 |
| Sen. Ahmed Makarfi |
“There is nothing wrong with his declaration and there is nothing special about it, too.
“Nigerians are the people that have the ultimate say on who will lead them; every person, including myself, can declare but the people will speak with their votes.
Nobody should stop anybody; my take is that voter awareness should be intensified and people should get their Permanent Voter Cards in order to speak with their votes.
“All we want is free and fair election where people can vote and their votes should count,” he said.
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