FG: Buhari wants to hand over to president elected by Nigerians

• •Insists he has no 3rd term agenda 

• •Backs US sanctions against democracy saboteurs

By Usman Shuaibu

The Federal Government has again ruled out any tenure extension bid by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in pursuit of a third term in office. 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed conveyed the position in an opening remark yesterday at the 20th edition of the Buhari administration Scorecard Series 2015 to 2023.

Lai Mohammed said unlike the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which sought a third term during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Buhari will like to hand over to a president democratically elected by Nigerians. 

While reacting to the decision by the United States of America to slam a visa ban on some Nigerians who are undermining democracy, Lai said whatever action that is taken against anyone who undermines this democracy that has been watered by the blood of many of our patriots is right and justified. 

“For us as a government, we are proud to say that no Administration since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 has shown more fidelity to the democratic process than ours, and no President since 1999 has been as unambiguous as President Muhammadu Buhari, in word and in deed, with regards to leaving office after the constitutionally-stipulated two terms,” he said.

According to Lai, President Buhari has left no one in doubt of his dogged determination to ensure free, fair and credible elections, handover to a successor elected by Nigerians and then return to Daura after the May 29, 2023 handover date. 

“As recently as this past Friday, when he visited the Emir of Daura, Mr. President still told the Emirate that he would return and settle down in Daura after handing over on May 29, 2023,” he said. 

The President, he added, has also given unprecedented support to INEC while also signing into law the Electoral Bill 2022 that Nigerians have hailed as a reason to have confidence in the electoral process.

“You must also not forget our firm response on this same podium on Jan. 10th 2023 to inquiries from the media over a widely-circulated report, credited to an INEC official, that the 2023 general elections face a serious threat of cancellation due to insecurity. We said the position of the Federal Government remains that the 2023 elections will be held as planned. Nothing has happened to change that position.

“What we are doing here with our Scorecard Series is another indication of our Administration’s determination to leave office on May 29, 2023. With our Honourable Ministers telling Nigerians what we have done since assuming office in 2015, we are in essence presenting our handover notes to those who elected us as an Administration as we prepare to leave in May. 

“We are therefore proud that we have sent unambiguous signals to our people and indeed to the world that we will leave office come May 29, 2023. We have not been mired in any third term controversy like was witnessed under the PDP.

” In fact, we are creating the template on a smooth transition of power that will guide future Administrations. Let those who undermine our democracy be sanctioned, and let them carry their own cross. As  a government, we have no reason to worry because our hands are clean,” Lai said.