APC national caucus backs Buhari for second term saying there is no vacancy in 2019

NIGERIA's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has indicated that it will be fielding President Muhammadu Buhari again in 2019 after its national caucus declared that there is no vacancy in the Aso Rock presidential villa in three years time.

 

Elected in May last year for a four year term, President Buhari is eligible for re-election in May 2019 but it is not yet clear if he will run or not. Currently 73, President Buhari will be 76 by the time of the next elections and if he is re-elected for a second term, he will be 80 by the time he leaves office.

 

This has prompted speculation as to President Buhari's future but earlier this week, the APC's national caucus comprising serving and former governors, the National Assembly leadership and selected members of the national executive of the party, said the president will stand again come 2019. At the meeting, party members said the endorsement of President Buhari for a second term would help to stabilise Nigeria in the face of what they described as the 16-year rot inherited from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

According to the caucus, President Buhari should be given opportunity to seek a second term. After the issue of a second term for the president was agreed, caucus members, however, resolved that it would be too early in the day to kick start a second term campaign. Also, at the meeting, the APC's national chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, dismissed insinuations of a threat against his position.

 

Another issue that was discussed was restiveness among some party leaders, who have been divided over their various aspirations for 2019. The positioning by different party leaders on 2019 has been blamed for the problems that led to the crisis in the National Assembly and also the inability of the party to inaugurate its Board of Trustees.

 

One party source said: “With Buhari contesting in 2019, those who have been squabbling will now have to queue up behind him and put the interest of the party first.”

 

Chief Odigie-Oyegun said that a committee had been constituted to resolve all the crises in the party. Speaking on the performance of the APC government almost one year after taking over power, the national chairman pleaded for time on the part of Nigerians, adding that the government would come on full stream when the 2016 budget is passed.