Buhari Breaks Silence On 2019, Announces Re-election Bid, Jets Abroad

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Criticised for receiving medical treatment abroad

By Sadiq Umar – Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Monday finally broke his silence on his intention to seek re-election in 2019 general elections, declaring his interest to run for a second term in office.

The declaration is coming after months of speculation that Mr. Buhari might be seeking to re-contest for the presidency despite the president’s state of health that some believe may have limited his performance in office.

Recent media reports suggested that the president’s health may have worsened again especially following a published picture of Mr. Buhari sitting on a chair inside the mosque instead of mat as expected during Muslims prayer.

Mr. Buhari is suffering from an undisclosed ailment that has kept him in and out of office for medical treatment in London for over five months in all.

A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, in Abuja said President Muhammadu declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019 at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The President said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.” Mr. Shehu stated.

Similarly, another Presidential aide’s @BashirAhmad wrote on tweeter saying: ”President Muhammadu Buhari has just officially announced his intention to seek re-election in 2019”.

Also at the APC’s NEC meeting in Abuja, Mr. Buhari was said to have sought for a waiver from the party’s NWC to allow members of John Odigie-Oyegun-led NEC to re-contest their respective posts if they so wish.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has departed for United Kingdom for “official Visits” where he’s expected to meet with Prime Minister Theresa May.

His media aide said he would also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) during the visit in UK.

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