President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said he does not want to involve himself with the task of identifying his successor in 2023.
The President who declared that doing so will create more problems than he can solve, stated this while receiving the members of the Progressive in Academics (Pro-Acad) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President’s statement is coming on the heels of claims that a political heavyweight from the south West is already positioning himself as successor to the President.
During the campaigns some notable politicians had informed different sections of the country, especially voters in the South West and South East to back the President to brighten their chances of producing the next President.
But President Buhari in apparent response to pressures, warned that “nobody should think he can just become a President by just talking but painstaking process.
The President said he worked hard and contested for elections severally before he succeeded.
He recalled how he failed in his three previous attempts, before he was able to get it the fourth time with the help of technology, PVC (Permanent Voters Card) and Card Reader.
“I will not name who will likely replace him in 2023,” he said.
The group had asked him to start grooming a youth who will replace him when his second term tenure expires in 2023.
The President also blamed state governments for the state of the Al-majiri system in the country.
He said: “Succession, to me this is very funny. Because if I did find anybody I will create more problems for him or her. Let those who want to be President try as much as I did.
“I believe those who are interested need to know that I tried three times and the fourth time I thank God and technology, PVC. Before they announced the result on radio and television, they got the result and they said anybody who disagreed should go to court. 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!
“So the fourth time because of technology they couldn’t rig the elections, so I won. So this time around I tried to work hard.
“So I think you have more to do as intellectuals to make sure you correct Nigeria’s intellectual development, it is very important for the next generation.
“A lot of our young people are taking things for granted. Imagine to contest elections three times and ending up in the Supreme Court, it takes a lot of conviction and hard work. But people take things for granted; they say I want to be the president. As if I just closed my eyes and opened and I got it.”
The President also blamed state governments for the state of the Al-majiri system in the country.
More later…
