President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said his decision to seek re-election in 2019 was based on the clamour by Nigerians.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Buhari Declares Intention To Run For Second Term
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said this at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the ruling All Progressives Congress, held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja Punch News reported.
The statement read,
“President Muhammadu Monday in Abuja declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019.
“President Buhari made the declaration at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress.
“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.
“Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.”
Mr Buhari made the declaration after the media had left the NEC Hall of APC secretariat in Abuja.
The Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that
“It is true that the president has announced his commitment to seek re election in 2019”.
While the president has long indicated he will seek a second term of four years, this is his first public announcement.
Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the APC, and the Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa also confirmed this while addressing journalists in Abuja after the NEC meeting.
Special adviser to the President on New media and engagement, Bashir Ahmad in a tweet on his official handle @BashirAhmaad also confirmed it. Bashir tweeted:
“President Muhammadu Buhari has just officially announced his intention to seek re-election in 2019. Details soon…”
