Buhari not ready to groom a successor, says those interested should try as he did

Ahead of the 2023 elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he was not ready to groom a successor.

Buhari explained that naming his preferred successor now would create problems for him and those making such calls.

The president stated this while reacting to one of the requests made by the members of Progressives in Academics (Pro-Acad), who visited him at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday.

Spokesperson of the group, Bolariwa Bolaji, had urged the president to commence the process of grooming a successor, who would take over the mantle of leadership from him in 2023

“We are delighted having you and in another four-year time you would want to go and rest – then who takes over from you?

“We are suggesting that you bring a vibrant youth among people who have shown interest, bring them in so that you start saddling them with responsibilities and you will be watching them over these next four years so that when you want to leave the circle, you would have vibrant youths to hand over to.

“This is one of the ways the gains of this government can be made to be continuous– so that there will be continuity in what you are doing,’’ Mr Bolaji said.

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However, President Buhari, while responding, said he would rather stay away from identifying anybody as his successor so as not to create problem for such a person.

“To me this is very funny. I think if I identify anybody I’d create more problem for him or for her,” the president said.

“So, I’d rather keep my mouth shut. Let those who would want to be president try as much as I did. And I believe that those who are interested know that I tried three times.

“And the first time, I thank God and technology, PVC. Before, they just go to the television and they read the results. They say anybody who disagreed should go to court.

“And most of my supporters are looking for next day’s meal. They don’t have money to give to lawyers. So I said God dey (there is God). So, the first time God and technology came along, PVC, they couldn’t rig the election (and) so I won.

The president, therefore, challenged the youth to continue to work harder, saying that they should not take things for granted.

“I tried to work hard but I think you have a lot more to do you as intellectuals so that you correctly document Nigeria’s political development. It’s very important for the next generation.

“A lot of our young chaps are taking things for granted. Imagine to contest election three times ending up in Supreme Court three times. It needs a lot of conviction you know, and hard work.

“But people take success for granted. They say, ah, he’s the president. They think I just closed my eyes and I got it,” Mr Buhari said.

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