President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed a Quest Times exclusive reporting that he won’t interfere in the process of choosing his successor.
79-year-old Buhari would wrap up his constitutionally permissible two-terms of eight years in office in 2023.
However, he has remained tight-lipped on his choice of successor.
On December 20, 2021, Quest Times had quoted anonymous top presidency aides as saying that the president has told them that he won’t be handpicking a successor.
The presidency aides also disclosed that the president has warned them not to do anything in his name.
“The president is not a fan of strong-arm tactics. He prefers a more democratic approach. Behind the scenes, he has told us all to count him out of the politics of 2023,” Quest Times had quoted one highly placed presidency source as saying in the story.
In a chat with ChannelsTV this week, President Buhari confirmed our reporting.
Pressed on whether he has a ‘favourite’ candidate within his party to succeed him, the president said even though he has no favourite, such a person “may be eliminated” should he mention his name.
“No, I wouldn’t, because he may be eliminated if I mention. I better keep it secret,” Buhari said.
Asked about what comes to mind when he hears about the 2023 elections, Buhari remained coy, saying: “It’s not my problem.”
The president has also repeatedly stated that he is determined to bequeath a legacy of free and fair elections before he retires to his farm in Daura, Katsina State.
