Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) has said the decision on whether or not to seek re-election in 2019 is solely that of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is in the best position to judge if he can provide more of his services for the country.
Sani, in a post on his Facebook page yesterday, said the political elite who are applying pressure on Buhari to re-contest are doing so because they consider him to be a lifebuoy to their own political survival and relevance.
The lawmaker’s position contradicts that of Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who recently said he, alongside other supporters of the president, tagged Buharists, wants to ensure that the president runs in 2019.
Sani however said several of those pushing Buhari to run again, see him as ‘meal and mill’.
The Facebook post reads:
“Whether Baba (Buhari) will seek reelection or not, remains his individual decision to make. He is old enough and has been in politics and government longer than anyone in his party or cabinet as to know what to do and the right time to do it.He is the best person to judge and decide for himself what to do.â€
The nation still needs his services but it’s still up to him to decide if he is willing and fit to provide more or not. The political elite in habit of applying pressure, are pressure cookers and they see Baba as a meal and a mill. Baba is like a good driver who has driven for a long distance and so much cherished by his passengers, whether he is willing to cover more distance, its best decided by him.Every leader chooses his seat and space in the ship of his and his country’s history,†it read.
“The reasons the masses want Baba to continue is not the same as with the reason the elite want Baba to seek re-election. The former see him as a good force who should continue to lead them to the land of their dreams or the promised land; the latter see him as the lifebuoy for their political survival and relevance,†Sani added.
