Against the backdrop of President Muhammadu Buhari’s age and health status, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kano State has advised him against re-contesting for the presidency in 2019, saying such may have adverse consequences for him and the country.
Speaking with journalists Tuesday in Abuja, Engr. Muazu Magaji, a former Special Adviser on Projects to ex-Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State, said “Even the President himself complained of his age when he came; and he also complained about the ‘dirty’ processes within the polity which is not in tandem with what he is used to.
“Unless he addresses them and we have analyzed here that addressing them might be difficult for him. I think there is a milestone in democracy that you might say even if l am given 10 years there is much l can do but if l set the foundation and l am happy l have restored confidence and l have brought hope back, l could get younger people”, he said.
Magaji, advised President Buhari to ignore those urging him to seek re-election, noting that “even the President himself had complained about his health and age when he took over in 2015.”
While claiming that recent political dynamics had shown that the president could no longer understand the times, he declared “So, there are political dynamics that he is not capable of assimilating, therefore we need some politicians that are vibrant, younger and capable of managing the dynamics of diabolical plans of some politicians against the state and checkmating them.
“Also, they must be persons that have demonstrated the pedigree and capability to build a nation either from the responsibility they held before or from things they have manifested in their lives and they have the integrity to manage the resources and the moral balance to treat Nigerians equitably and fairly. Those are the people l think the President should look out for and hand over this nation to them as a legacy”, he added.
On if Kwankwaso fits into this description, Magaji said, “if that is the case, I will say yes. If he gets this opportunity l believe he will do very well because Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso is a very young, vibrant politician who has committed his life in politics to the service of humanity. He has right from his days in the National Assembly been a leader. He was a Deputy Speaker in the National Assembly at some point; he was an elected governor at a young age slightly above 40. He lost election as a democrat; he managed himself, his party and his team after losing election and he came back to power. These are things Nigeria need. We need a new Nigeria that is devoid of the acrimony of religion and politics. We need to elect a leader that can lift this country above board to true African greatness.”
