Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday insisted that he will handover to an elected successor and leave government at the end of his constitutionally allowed maximum eight years tenure on 29, May, 2023.

The President reiterated that he will quit office in a statement from the presidency signed by Buhari senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu issued in reaction to suggestions by two senior lawyer that he should extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally allowed period.

Speaking on a television programme on Monday, Chief Robert Clarke had suggested that the President should extend his term by six months to enable his tackle the security challenges in different parts of the country.

Also, Chief Afe Babalola, (SAN) has some weeks ago suggested that the 2023 election should be suspended and an interim government should be set up and allowed to run the country for six months during which it will come with a people’s constitution for the country.

However, while rejecting both suggestions, the presidency said “having been the first recipient of a democratic transfer of power from an incumbent administration to an opposition candidate in Nigerian history, the President is committed to extending and entrenching democratic values across the country. He shall, in turn, hand the privilege of serving the people of Nigeria to whomever they choose through free, fair and credible elections”

“We wish to categorically restate that the President will step down on May 29th, 2023, after serving two terms – as per the constitution”

MAY 29 HANDOVER IS SACROSANCT, SAYS THE PRESIDENCY

In response to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria’s recent remarks, the Presidency wishes to state as follows:

Chief Robert Clarke, a very well respected elder may be sincere in his wish for the President to extend his term by six months. We wish to categorically restate that the President will step down on May 29th, 2023, after serving two terms – as per the constitution

Having been the first recipient of a democratic transfer of power from an incumbent administration to an opposition candidate in Nigerian history, the President is committed to extending and entrenching democratic values across the country. He shall, in turn, hand the privilege of serving the people of Nigeria to whomever they choose through free, fair and credible elections.

However, Chief Clarke is right to say that without security, Nigeria would not likely realize its true potential as a peaceful and prosperous nation. That is why it has been at the core of this administration. The results are there for all to see. Boko Haram terrorists have been forced back from controlling whole swathes of this country. Internally Displaced Persons are now returning to rebuild their communities. This achievement has been accomplished through the bravery and determination of the Nigerian armed forces and the fortitude of the people of our nation.

New challenges have arisen and tackled in turn – whether it’s the National Livestock Transformation Plan to alleviate herder-farmer clashes, the elimination of the leadership of ISWAP, or new efforts to combat banditry. Till the last day of the administration, the security of the citizens shall remain the administration’s paramount concern. We shall finish the job. Yet, in any case, respect for the constitution and Nigerians’ democratic rights remains the best path to securing and then maintaining peace.

Yet there are others, such as Chief Afe Babalola, (SAN), that believe elections should be suspended, with the current elected government replaced by an interim unelected administration. This, he claims, is necessary to create a new constitution for the people, made possible, paradoxically, by ignoring their democratic rights. Down that path lies crisis and instability.

Instead, this administration proposes something entirely simpler: honouring the constitution and people’s right to decide.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 10, 2022