Exactly 18 days after former President Olusegun Obasanjo advised President Muhammadu Buhari from contesting the 2019 elections and five days after ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida followed suit, some prominent northerners are set to do same, THE WHISTLER has exclusively gathered.
Barring any last-minute change, these people will be asking President Buhari to retire back to Daura, citing the issues of his administration that have divided Nigerians as well as his not too ‘fantastic health,’ a source told THE WHISTLER on Friday in Abuja.
The source said not taking a position on the way forward, and early enough, could give truth to the lie that northerners are merely interested in grabbing power and not how it is used to enhance development, growth and national cohesion.
“It is about time we show other Nigerians that we are as concerned as they. We have heard some Nigerians say the north is merely interested in grabbing power and not about issues of development and national unity, but that is not true. We are as concerned, if not more, as other Nigerians about the way things are presently are in the country.
“Insha Allah, Nigerians will hear from us tomorrow (Saturday) on President Buhari and the 2019 elections,” the source said.
It will be recalled that this newspaper exclusively reported on Obasanjo addressing the country and asking Buhari to shelve any idea of seeking reelection in 2019.
Obasanjo on January 23, 2018 had noted: “But whatever may be the state of President Buhari’s health today, he should neither over-push his luck nor over-tax the patience and tolerance of Nigerians for him, no matter what his self-serving, so-called advisers, who would claim that they love him more than God loves him and that without him, there would be no Nigeria say.
“President Buhari needs a dignified and honourable dismount from the horse. He needs to have time to reflect, refurbish physically and recoup and after appropriate rest, once again, join the stock of Nigerian leaders whose experience, influence, wisdom and outreach can be deployed on the sideline for the good of the country. His place in history is already assured. Without impaired health and strain of age, running the affairs of Nigeria is a 25/7 affair, not 24/7.”
On his part, Babangida on February 4, 2018 stated: ““In the fullness of our present realities, we need to cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari to complete his term of office on May 29th, 2019 and collectively prepare the way for new generation leaders to assume the mantle of leadership of the country.
“While offering this advice, I speak as a stakeholder, former president, concerned Nigerian and a patriot who desires to see new paradigms in our shared commitment to get this country running. While saying this also, I do not intend to deny President Buhari his inalienable right to vote and be voted for, but there comes a time in the life of a nation, when personal ambition should not override national interest.”
