Outspoken elder statesman and the National Chairman of Reformed All Progressives Congress, rAPC, Buba Galadima, has warned Nigerians not to go to sleep as President Muhammadu Buhari may be forced to join the 2023 fray by associates bent on perpetuating themselves in powerful positions.
In early October, the presidency had dismissed reports that claimed President Buhari was planning to amend the 1999 constitution to enable him run for a third term in office.
‘‘There are no circumstances, nor set of circumstances, under which President Buhari may seek to amend the Constitution regarding the two-term term limit on holding office as President.
‘‘The president intends to serve his full second elected term in office, ending 2023, and then there shall be a general election in which he will not be a candidate.There is not even the faintest possibility that this will change,” the President said through his spokesman, Garba Shehu.
But Galadima who is now an ally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said some forces will draft Buhari into the 2023 presidential race.
Taking a swipe at the President in an interview with the Sun, Galadima also claimed that Buhari was confident enough to travel to Saudi Arabia on the eve of the hearing of petition and appeal against his election by Atiku because he (Buhari) had already pocketed the judiciary, and feels that nothing will happen, and that he will be victorious at the court.
In his words: “I have never seen such a terrible situation like what we are witnessing in Nigeria today under the APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Not even during the colonial era, and the military period have Nigerians passed through these hard times.
“With Buhari in charge, it is like Nigerians have entered a one-chance bus. What is even surprising is that despite all the hardship, and suffering being inflicted on Nigerians, Buhari is not bothered. He doesn’t feel moved by the cries of hardship and sufferings, which his government has brought upon Nigerians.
“Now Buhari has travelled outside the country again. He has travelled to Saudi Arabia, and from there, he will go to the United Kingdom. Does that show the trait of a good leader? Buhari keeps on travelling across the globe while Nigerians are wallowing in poverty.
“He is not moved by all the hardship, and not only that, he feels so confident that his mandate is secured. If not, he would not have travelled to Saudi Arabia on the eve of the hearing of petition, and appeal against his election by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of PDP.
“Buhari has already pocketed the judiciary, and he feels that nothing will happen, and that he will be victorious at the court. His government has destroyed the judiciary and this is very troubling for democracy, and our nation.
“A lot of politicians will be disappointed. Only God knows what will happen between now and 2023. Buhari may even be drafted to join the 2023 fray by some of his aides and associates.
“Buhari may be drafted by those enjoying under his government. Buhari has always been drafted to contest elections, and I won’t be surprised if his supporters draft him into the 2023 race.
“But clearly, what these politicians jostling and talking about 2023 don’t know is that they are over-exposing themselves. They are exposing their weaknesses, and their opponents or political foes may use it against them.
“Nobody knows how 2023 will go. It is only God that knows. Anything can happen between now, and 2023.”
