As several chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) jostle for the nation’s number one position, President Muhammadu Buhari may have shocked Nigerians and the chieftains that he has an anointed and favoured candidate.
He said he would not disclose his identity yet for fear of being killed.
“No. I wouldn’t because the person could be eliminated if I mention it. I better keep it secret,” Buhari said on Channels TV interview on Wednesday.
Persecondnews recalls that Buhari had said in 2021 that he would not bother about his successor, promising a level playing field for all.
The APC leader, Chief Bola Tinubu has toured some parts of the North including Kano soliciting support for his aspiration as president.
Still being prodded during the interview over his successor, Buhari had initially said he was not interested in the matter.
“I am not interested in who becomes the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as I am open to the emergence of anyone.
“No. Let him come, whoever it is.
The only important thing (is) I made sure that on record, nobody should ask me to come and give any evidence in any court.
“Otherwise, whoever it is, he will be in trouble. Because all the important things are on record. I made sure about that. Important issues are all on record.”
On the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill for which he withheld assent, Buhari explained that the bill did not give options for political parties in choosing their candidates at primaries for elections.
According to him, the options of direct, indirect and consensus should be exploited by the parties.
“I don’t support direct primaries because I want people to be given a choice. You can’t give them one option and think that you are being democratic.
”Let them have the three options. I don’t think I told them what I don’t like. All I said (is) there should be options. We must not insist that it has to be direct. It should be consensus and indirect,” said the president.
On farmer-herder violent clashes, Buhari restated his preference for grazing routes across the country.
On the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians, the president said:” I’m aware of the poor economic conditions being experienced by Nigerians, l’m aware of the pains they are going through.
“I’m aware of it. But as I said, look at the vastness of Nigeria, only 2.4 per cent of the arable land is being used. We realized it rather too late. We have to go back to the land.”
PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
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