President Buhari on Monday said his firm decision to go for 2019 re-election was based on the clamour by Nigerians.
According to a statement by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, the President revealed this at a meeting of the National Executive Council of the ruling APC, that was being held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja Punch News reported.
The statement read,
“President Muhammadu Monday in Abuja declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019.
“President Buhari made the declaration at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress.
“The President said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.
“Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.”
it was earlier reported that the National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting of the APC party is going to hold in Abuja today. President Buhari made the announcement after the media had left the NEC Hall of APC secretariat in Abuja.
Alhassan Doguwa, The Chief Whip of the House of Representatives have confirmed this to PREMIUM TIMES.
“It is true that the president has announced his commitment to seek re election in 2019”.
While the president has long indicated he will seek a second term of four years, this is his first public announcement.
The National publicity secretary of the APC, Bolaji Abdullahi, and the Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa had also confirmed this while he was addressing journalists in Abuja after the National Executive Committee.
Bashir Ahmad, who is the Special Adviser to the President on New media and engagement, in a tweet on his official handle @BashirAhmaad has also confirmed it. Bashir tweeted this:
“President Muhammadu Buhari has just officially announced his intention to seek re-election in 2019. Details soon…”
An excited Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai also in a tweet on his verified handle @elrufai made the announcement.
