PDP: Presidency’s comment on Buhari influencing 2023 polls shows self-succession plot

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the comment on President Muhammadu Buhari influencing the masses during the 2023 general election shows that the present administration is plotting to remain in power for a third term.

Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing journalists in Katsina state, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had said the masses will trust Buhari for guidance on whom to vote for in 2023.

“We see PDP nursing the false hope of taking over power in 2023. The masses will never abandon President Buhari’s leadership. I’m sure in 2023, they’re waiting for him to show the way,” Shehu had said.

But in a statement issued on Tuesday evening by Kola Ologbondiyan, the party’s spokesman, the PDP warned the presidency against plans to seek a third term in office, noting that such an action would be resisted.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the assertion by the Buhari Presidency that Nigerians will be waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari “to show the way in 2023” has further heightened public apprehensions of self-succession plot by the cabal in the Presidency,” the statement reads.

“Nigerians were jolted when President Buhari’s spokesman, Shehu Garba, publicly announced in Daura, Mr. President’s hometown, that President Buhari “constitutes a political obstacle” which those who seek to succeed him, come 2023 “cannot dismantle”.

“Such statement by the Presidency, which is in its last lap of the second and final tenure in office, is not only provocative but also smacks of plots to derail our constitutional democratic order.

“Perhaps the comment by the Buhari Presidency explains why there have been heavy onslaught against our institutions of democracy as well as the Electoral Act.

“Our party and indeed the majority of Nigerian across board and even across party lines caution President Buhari’s handlers to note that such plots cannot stand as it will be firmly resisted by the people. Shehu Garba should be bold enough to announce that President Buhari will be on the ballot for another term in 2023 and watch how Nigerians will respond.

“The 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear on the tenure of office of the President and such cannot be extended under any guise or conditions whatsoever.

“It is imperative for Shehu Garba to note that Nigerians have been subjected to the worst forms of hardship under the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration and will never allow anything that will keep this administration in office a day beyond May 29, 2023.”