2023: Presidency Dismisses Buhari’s Third Term Bid

By Kunle Akinsola

Contrary to some media reports, the Presidency has denied that President Muhammadu Buhari is planning a third-term on expiration of his second tenure in 2023.

“The President will only serve for a two-term and will never hold on to power or manipulate the Constitution in order to favour his bid,’’ the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said in a statement.

He said there was need to correct internet-based gossips and uninformed media commentary regarding presidential term limits, given credence by so-called support groups, staging street demonstrations asking President Muhammadu Buhari to do a third term.

“There are no circumstances – nor set of circumstances – under which President Buhari may seek to amend the Constitution regarding the two-term term limit on holding office as President.

“President Buhari intends to serve his full second elected term in office, ending 2023 – and then there shall be a general election in which he will not be a candidate.

“There is not even the faintest possibility that this will change,’’ he said.

“It is important to note that there was a past attempt to change the Constitution to allow for the-then incumbent president to stand for a third term. That attempt was wrong, unconstitutional – and rightly rebuffed. No such attempt will happen under this President.

“President Buhari is a democrat. He respects the Constitution. Any activity aimed at altering the two-term limit will not succeed and shall never have his time nor support.’’