2019: Nigerians divided over support for Buhari
NOVEMBER 23, 20162:22
* Those talking about 2019 are not Buhari’s friends – Senator Owie
* I will stand by him – Ndume
* Babatope, Mohammed, Tsav, Adeniran, Igbokwe, Odumakin, Agoro, Alimikhena speak
By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu, & Gbenga Oke
THE polity was literary balkanised, yesterday, with mixed views from eminent Nigerians on whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari would be supported for re-election in 2019.
The Presidency, on Monday, lambasted former member of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Alhaji Buba Galadima, for saying that the people would abandon Buhari if he chose to seek re-election.
In a strong worded statement, the presidency through Malam Garba Shehu, senior special assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, stated that “suggestions that the masses will desert President Buhari in 2019 are unfounded and utterly ridiculous” because “the masses are solidly behind Buhari because he is not stealing their money and their future. The President’s enormous goodwill remains ever strong because the people are convinced the President is acting in their best interest, despite the temporary unintended consequences of reforms.”
Commenting on the issues, leaders were clearly divided with some saying that the permutation for 2019 is early.
Those talking about 2019 are shameless – Junaid Mohammed
In his reaction, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said: “It is very unfortunate and shameless that a government that is yet to do anything is already talking of 2019. It is very unfortunate that a party like APC that is fast becoming moribund is already talking of 2019 when they have nothing to show for the four years Nigerians gave them. This development shows they are power-hungry, hypocritical and corruption-ridden.
“This entire 2019 discussion is ridiculous. I believe a government that has performed will rely on its performance before being considered for another four years in office. We are not even in the middle of the four-year term given to them and they are already talking of 2019. This is an unfortunate development and it shows the ineptitude of the government. For a man that has led us into the worst recession ever and has got nothing to show Nigerians since he assumed office to be talking of 2019, shows how shameless the government can be.”
We are waiting to see Nigerians who will support them – Babatope
Former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said: “I wish the Buhari administration luck in their wishful thinking. So far so good, I don’t know of anybody who will support them for another term of four years. But we are waiting patiently to see those Nigerians who will support them when people are dying daily of hunger and starvation.’’
It’s too early – Tsav
Retired Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav said: ”It is too early for anyone to be talking of 2019. However, I think it is his right to express his opinion if he so desires.’’
It’s an insult to Nigerians—Debo Adeniran
Executive Director of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran, said: ”My impression is that it is too early for people in the Presidency to be making such statement. It was wrongly timed for them to be flying such a kite because I believe that is what they are doing. The administration has not even settled down, they have not come up with a policy thrust on the economy and they have not engaged in the business of real governance. The statement is an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians. I believe that the President might not have approved such statement by his overzealous aides because I am sure the President has not shown that he is ambitious.”
Buhari
Let Buhari improve lives of Nigerians – Afenifere
The Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, in its reaction, said the President must ensure that the lives o
