The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu, has advised Nigerians to worry less about who will succeed the President.
Instead, he said the task of nation-building and moving the country forward should take priority over the search for a successor for President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu made the remarks while briefing State House correspondents on Tuesday, shortly after meeting with the President in the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“Restlessness of politics is going to be there, but any lover of this country will not talk about the succession plan yet; that’s the truth.”
“Concentrate on working for the country, help the country, help the President to help the country,” he advised Nigerians.
The APC leader added, “We cannot (use) 360 degrees, 365 (days) in a year to work on politics, it’s not possible.
“Anybody talking about that now; it’s just complete restlessness and not focused on the agenda of the nation-building and development of our country.”
His comments come two days after a former running mate of President Buhari and senior pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare, asked the President not to sit on the fence when it comes to choosing his successor.
According to Bakare, a key responsibility that history bestows on the President is “to institutionalize systems of accurate succession that will build and sustain the Nigeria that is desired”.
Tinubu, also dismissed the claims that President Muhammadu Buhari would be seeking a third term in office.
He recalled that the President had vehemently opposed the third term agenda of one of his predecessors some years ago.
“I was in the struggle for democracy,” said the former Lagos State governor.
He added, “I was in opposition to a third term agenda of a former leader of this country, with Muhammadu Buhari, Mr President; I know he will never.”
The APC chieftain, however, urged Nigerians to believe in the President whom he said would never have any thought of seeking re-election as President in the 2023 general elections.
He stressed that President Buhari would not be interested in extending his tenure in office after 2023, even if it was offered to him.
Tinubu said, “He (Buhari) has the courage and the character to refuse such a temptation, even if offered to him. I believe in him and I believe Nigerians should believe in him.”
