…..Says Buhari’s choice of Tinubu as successor ‘not in doubt’
The Presidency on Friday dismissed speculation of a planned interim government as a joke by some fifth columnists in the corridor of power.
It declared that nothing would stop the commencement of the general elections next week, and affirmed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as the undoubted choice of President Muhammadu Buhari as his successor.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said in a series of tweets that the joke about the rumoured interim government should stop.
Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said at a separate forum yesterday that the Buahri Administration had “no intention to stay a day” in power beyond its tenure.
Shehu in his first tweet yesterday entitled STOP THE JOKE ABOUT INTERIM GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS WILL HOLD, said there was “absolutely no truth to the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is working towards an interim government or even worse, the truncation of democracy- democracy that he has helped to keep alive not only here at home, in West Africa but throughout the continent.”
The talk of interim government and truncation of democracy, according to him, “is way off the mark”. He said the brains behind the rumour were out only to cause panic and incite the public against the federal government.
Continuing, he said: Everybody is aware that there is a lot of pressure on everyone-all of us- the party, its elected officials, its candidates and law enforcement agencies, following the way the currency swap has gone. But the way to go is not to panic.
“There is indeed a problem and nobody will pretend that it doesn’t exist.
“It is precisely because the President is concerned with this problem that he opened several avenues for consultation with leaders and groups across the country, culminating in his broadcast to the nation on Thursday morning.
“In line with the speech, his clear and unequivocal directive is that the problem of cash supply must be addressed without delay.
“While this is being done, there is no need to panic. We need to work together as leaders; as a people and as one nation. When panic hits, people go into overdrive. Shouting helps no one because no one can listen.
“The solution to the problem is not in sending Nigerians into confusion. Elections, just a week ahead, will hold and Nigerians will vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC (and any others if they so wish) on the basis of their choice.
“Our people want progress, good governance, law and order and will not be swayed by the negative energy that is being expended against a well-meaning currency change.
“Finally, to state that the President clearly has a favoured successor in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is not in doubt.”
In the second tweet, the President’s spokesman said: “The President looks forward to handing over the reins of power to his elected successor. This will happen on May 29, 2023 as the Constitution requires it.
“The days of unelected Nigerian leaders, and those who outstay their welcome by unconstitutionally extending it have gone.
“What should be made crystal clear to the doubters and the speculators and the untruth-tellers is that in no way was the naira swap “engineered” to keep the President in office beyond May 29. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Mohammed: Fifth columnists at work
Mohammed, in an interview on TVC live programme, ‘This Morning’ said fifth columnists engineered the interim government rumour with a view to destabilising the country.
He said the coming elections would be conducted free and fair and the presidential candidate of the APC, Tinubu would emerge victorious.
“Tinubu will win the 2023 Presidential election. APC will succeed itself and there will be no interim government because we have no intention to stay a day after the end of the tenure of this administration,” he said.
He added: “As a matter of fact, President Muhammadu Buhari has already constituted a transition committee, and by the grace of God, we will hand over to the APC candidate, no matter the conspiracy theories all around.”
The minister said Tinubu would win because he and the party have been working hard to emerge victorious.
His words: “The APC presidential candidate is everywhere and he has campaigned more than other candidates.
“The president, the party and the government are also solidly behind him.”
Mohammed said that for over 20 years, Tinubu had prepared for the position he is now seeking.
He recalled how the APC candidate has been building political bridges across the country over the years and supporting and sponsoring candidates for offices across the six geo-political zones.
Mohammed also said the claim in certain quarters that Buhari was a passive supporter of Tinubu was wrong, arguing that what some people failed to understand is that the President wears two caps as leader of the nation and that of the ruling APC.
The minister said Buhari spoke as the president of the country when he said he would not favour any candidate at the election, which was misunderstood by people.
He said at the appropriate rostrum when Buhari led the Presidential campaign train in Lafia, Nasarawa State, the President raised Tinubu’s hand up and declare him his successor.
“What will Buhari and the party benefit in not supporting Tinubu to become president?
“It will be suicidal for anybody in the government not to support Tinubu because if any other party wins, it will be a hostile takeover.
“If Tinubu does not become the president, the greatest loss will be for APC. Therefore, it is not in our interest to put stumbling block in his winning the polls.”
Mohammed said the pains of the aftermath of the Naira redesign would be short-lived and it was not a deliberate policy by the government to create hurdles for his successor.
