Abdulsalami wants Buhari, Atiku, others over 70yrs to retire from politics

Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Thursday said those above 70 years should leave the political stage for the younger ones.

Both incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking another four year tenure under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, and Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate are all above 70 years of age.

Abdulsalami however said if politicians above 70 years consider themselves worthy to run for political offices, that they “should jealously continue to guard the peace of our country.”

He added, “I urge you to base your campaign on issue based campaign. Politicians and their political parties hold the key to the creation of an environment that could foster peace, fair and credible elections and we will ask them to do the needful for the interest of, and well-being of this great country.”

Abdulsalami stated this at Arewa House Kaduna, where he was chairman of the presentation and launching of a book, ”Yakowa: A Dream Differed.”

READ ALSO: Reps approve June 12 to replace May 29 as Democracy Day

Speaking on how he played a part in mentoring late Patrick Yakowa, a former Kaduna State governor, Abdulsalami said, “As former head of state, who appointed late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa as Minister for Solid Minerals, I thought that it was late Patrick Yakowa that built the foundation of solid mineral resources upon which all that was accorded.

“Late Patrick Yakowa remained a close confided even after my retirement. Since Yakowa left the Federal Government, and returned to Kaduna to serve in the state as secretary to the government, rising to be elected as deputy governor, and then, governor of Kaduna state, I have followed his track record with great interest. I am proud of his achievements. I bear witness to his commitment to peace, service, justice and truthful to the country”, he said.

This came after President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier in June this year recognised June 12 as Democracy Day and said that the date would beginning from 2019, to be celebrated as Democracy Day.

Buhari had then also gave a posthumous honour of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to late Moshood Abiola, who was adjudged winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, anulled by then Military President, Ibrahim Babangida.

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