National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chekwas Okorie, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to honourably retire after completing his first term in office.
Okorie, who spoke in an interview with Vanguard, said if Buhari attempts a re-election in 2019, he would be disgraced. He was reacting to the statement by Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, who said over the weekend that Buhari would win if he runs for office again.
The party chairman said Adesina’s comment is misplaced, adding that with the pain Nigerians are experiencing at the moment, the least the Presidency should be talking about is a re-election. Okorie said:
“Mr. Adesina is not reading the mood of the nation correctly. What he said is a disservice to President Buhari and his administration. The mood of most Nigerians is that of despondency and disappointment. Half way into President Buhari’s four-year term, there is nothing to show that the change they voted for will happen before 2019.”
“Nigerians are very compassionate people by nature. They have been praying for good health for the president. The last thing they will expect is for a president with health challenge, who has been struggling to perform his duties, to present himself for election for a second mandate.”
“The best option for President Buhari is to bow out after his first tenure like Dr. Nelson Mandela did in South Africa. If he re-presents himself for election, he will be humiliated at the ballot box.”