Politics

Obasanjo okays Buhari to seek re-election in 2019

Published

8 years ago

September 5, 2016

May Nigeria never sink like PDP, Obasanjo prays

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has the right to seek for re-election in 2019, if he wishes.

This is as he condemned an online report (not Ripples) which claimed that he had warned President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019. He described those behind the allegation as enemies of democracy and freedom of expression.

The report dated September 3, 2016, quoted Obasanjo to have spoken through his former Chief Press Secretary, Alex Nwokedi.

But Obasanjo, reacting in a statement issued by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi in Abeokuta on Sunday, said he “condemns in the highest manner, the story and those behind it.”

The former President denied having any communication of any kind with Nwokedi in the last three years and was surprised that such news as published by the on-line publication could be attributed to him.

“My belief is that democracy allows for anybody including President Buhari for that matter to contest any election and it is the prerogative rights of Nigerians to vote or not to vote for them. I have not communicated with Alex in the last three years, so how could a story be credited to me when I did not authorise such or communicated with him in the last three years?”

“I condemn in the highest manner the story and those behind it. And for those behind it, they are simply enemies of democracy and freedom of expression,” part of Obasanjo’s statement read.

By Ebere Ndukwu ……

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now