President Muhammadu Buhari

The National Organising Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC,  Senator Osita Izunaso, has warned that the political intrigues that would follow if President Muhammadu Buhari refused to contest the 2019 presidential election would not only lead to division in the ruling party, but would also lead to it losing the general election.

“It would not be in the interest of the party and Nigeria for President Buhari not to run,” he said. The consequence would be unimaginable as all the big wigs that have been hibernating would come out and fight to the finish,” Izunaso told ThisDay newspaper.

The APC Chief therefore asked the President to immediately declare his intention to run for the second term.
“President Buhari should come out and run. If he declares today that he would run, it would be a popular decision and it would unite the party and galvanise it into action.”

“I think if the president declares today, it would rest the simmering power struggle, unite and refocus the party to retain power in 2019,” he said.

He also disagreed with calls that the President should not seek re-election by some past Nigerian leaders, as he affirmed that contrary to their assertions, the President has performed well.

“The president has performed exceedingly well. When we came into office, we promised three things: improve security; revive the economy; and fight corruption.

“The president has taken these three head on. He has fought Boko Haram to a standstill; pulled the economy out of recession; and corruption is on its knees right now,” said Izunaso.