A cleric, Bishop Seun Adeoye on Monday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to shelve the idea of contesting the 2019 presidential election.
He urged him to learn from the good example laid by the late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
Bishop Adeoye, who is the General Overseer (GO) of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry (SGTM), Rehoboth Arena, Okinni, Osun State in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo, urged Buhari to shun all entreaties by selfish politicians to drag him into seeking re-election.
His words: “I think Nigerians should not be taken for granted. President Buhari should not push Nigerian citizens beyond limit by coming out again. If he does, he will only dent his image of integrity built over the years. He will be helping this country by not contesting in 2019.
“I was one of those who fervently prayed to God to heal our president and bring him back to office to complete his tenure. Thank God, he is back. So, President Buhari should just finish his term; go back home and rest after 2019. I think it is unthinkable for him to seek for another four years in office going by his state of health.”
He also appealed to other eminent and concerned Nigerians to join in putting pressure on President Buhari not to seek second term on office for the sake of this country.
“I am of a strong view that Nigeria of today needs an energetic and intelligent president that will make us compete with other great nations of the world.
“Our country is faced with several challenges, so we need someone who will be ready to fix our myriad of problems. We should stop pretending, all is not well in Nigeria, so we need a creative thinker to help us.
“It is only President Buhari that can lay the foundation for the emergence of such a good leader as his declaration not to seek a second term in office will bring out array of qualified individuals from which the best choice will be made”, he stated.
Bishop Adeoye explained further that “except we are deceiving ourselves, Buhari’s ill health affected the nation’s governance. So, if truly the president loves this country as he claims, he should retire home after 2019 and henceforth inform the sycophants of his intention not to run again.
“With all emphasis, President Buhari is a great Nigerian and an accomplished statesman. I am sure that our president will be courageous enough and stand tall by writing his name in precious stone by willingly declaring that he will quit office in 2019.
“Have I seen any presidential material among those contending to rule this nation? No. Many of them are seeking for this position for personal aggrandizement and not because of their interest in moving this country forward.
“This is the more reason why President Buhari should announce his decision as early as possible so as to help Nigerians search for and chose a leader of their choice by 2019”, he stated.
Packaged by Bunmi Oladejo
