Publisher of the World acclaimed Ovation magazine, Mr Dele Momodu, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to shun the advice of those urging him to go for a second term in office in 2019.
In an interview he granted the Punch, Momodu said by 2019 when the president will be 76, he will be too tired to run the affairs of a complex country like Nigeria.
He urged the president not to allow those pushing him for a second term succeed because they are doing so for their selfish interest.
He said Nigeria needs a man with full stamina, adding that Buhari would be too tired to run a nation as complex and as complicated as Nigeria by 2019.
Hear Momodu: “I have no doubt in my mind that even if he does not want to run, some people are going to push him to run because their lives depend on it. If he goes, they are gone. But unfortunately, I don’t know what he is enjoying in power again; God has done everything for him.”
“He will be at least 76 years by next year; at that age, I believe he would be too tired to run a nation as complex and as complicated as Nigeria. Right now, Nigeria needs a man with full stamina. That is why I have written consistently in the last two months that there are certain things we must do urgently to rescue Nigeria from total collapse.
“One, we must not have anyone above 65 years old in power. That is the retirement age. I’m going to be 58 years old this year and I already feel like I am getting old. Now imagine what it is like for a man close to 80 years old.
“Two, I believe that we should forget about zoning because it is not part of our constitution, so any qualified Nigerian who is distinguished, accomplished, well educated and well exposed should be allowed to run. Why do we want to prevent our best brains from contesting for the most important office in the country? I think if Nigerians are serious, the time has come for them to kill zoning before it kills Nigeria.
“I believe that the next President must be very well exposed, educated and communicate in the language of today. That is why I said that the best legacy the President can give us is for him to search for a worthy successor; even though, it is his right to contest for a second term, but it is not every right that you must claim.
“Even if people are pushing you, you should know that they are pushing you because of their own selfish interest.”
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