N/Central leaders okay Buhari’s 2nd term

Governors and some political leaders from the North Central have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019.

The group took the decision at the North Central meeting of the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Those who sought for Buhari’s second term included Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa; who was represented by his deputy, Silas Agara, and a former Governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, among others.

The development came few weeks after some APC leaders pushed for Buhari’s endorsement at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

The latest motion on the need for Buhari to go for a second term was moved by Akume and was immediately seconded by Governor Lalong.

It was then adopted by the audience comprising all APC stalwarts from the zone.

They said Buhari had no option but to fly the APC flag in 2019 on the grounds that his landmark achievements in the fight against terrorism, economic recovery, sustenance of democracy, restoration of Nigeria’s reputation in the comity of nations and above all, personal integrity and patriotism were unassailable.

In a statement yesterday by Gabriel Agbonika, media aide to the Interim Chairman of the group, Senator Abu Ibrahim, he also quoted Governors Lalong and Ortom, saying they were not appealing but “compelling Buhari to seek re-election in 2019 because of the good works he recorded in less than three years.”

In a message to the meeting, President Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; reminded the body that when the APC was elected, the nation needed to put on a new pedestal for the dreams conceived by its founding fathers which had been adopted to be realised.

According to him, the full weight of responsibility to make the country better informed the careful but slow and steady start to governance in the last 30 months.

Senator Ibrahim, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, explained that plans were under way to establish coordinating structures for the group in all the states.