CNPP insists he has no achievement to seek re-election, Yakasai says bid not strange

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has said President Muhammadu Buhari has nothing to show Nigerians in terms of concrete achievements to make him think of seeking re-election beyond the fact that re-contesting is a legal right.

The CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, while reacting to the President’s declaration of intention to seek re-election, said Nigeria should be thinking of electing a patriotic politician who understands economic dynamics and inclusive governance.

“It is disappointing that the President will choose to declare for a second term when the security of lives and property of Nigerians cannot be guaranteed.

“The President’s declaration of intention to run at this time is the height of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians who are suffering under his administration as he has nothing concrete in terms of achievement to show Nigerians.

“Today, we can count businesses that have either collapsed or are operating under the worst economic condition in history of our dear country, with no single high profile conviction in his so-called anti-corruption war in three years.

“His anti-corruption campaign has obviously be turned into a black-mailing tool aimed at painting one political party black, while anyone accused of corruption that joins the All Progressives Congress (APC) automatically becomes a saint and must be protected to enjoy his loot. That is not war against corruption.

“Nigerians at this time should be moving with the global tide by thinking of electing a successful patriotic man or woman as President.

“Re-electing the incumbent is to vote for continuity of failure as the first term in the office is usually the time to win the confidence of the electorate but Mr. President has performed so woefully in security, nation-building, provision of infrastructure and employment generation to seek re-election. His government has failed all-round.

“We, as Nigerians, have experimented enough in the last three years.

“The hungry and jobless citizens can no longer endure, and cannot afford to see another four years of this failed administration after 2019,” the statement said

In another development, an elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has said that Buhari’s declaration of intention to flag the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to re-contest for presidency in 2019 is not strange.

Yakasai, who spoke with The Guardian in Kano, said that much as the President’s body language has clearly signalled his keen interest to re-contest, the declaration at this material time was not strange.

He said: “It was not surprised to hear the declaration because if you have noticed the body language and efforts of the President to close ranks with Tinubu, particularly against the party leadership, gave clear indication.”

The elder statesman, who insisted he was not expecting any miracle from the President even if he eventually wins in 2019, posited that if Buhari could not make any meaningful impact when he ruled as military leader, he has little or no impact to make as president in democratic setting.