Buhari’s declaration: Agbakoba foresees upsets in 2019

A leader of the National Intervention Movement (NIM) Dr Olisa
Agbakoba (SAN) on Tuesday said there could be “upsets” in next
year’s general elections.

Reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration to seek to
re-election, Agbakoba told The Nation that it was within the
President’s rights to do so.

He said it was left for Nigerians to decide if the President
deserves a second term.

On what he thought about Buhari’s declaration, Agbakoba said:
“It’s his constitutional entitlement but what really matters is
whether this means he will be re-elected is an entirely different
matter as this will be decided by Nigerians.”

Agbakoba, a civil rights activist and former Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) president, said discussions were ongoing with a
view to presenting a credible candidate who can match Buhari.

He predicted that next year’s general elections would be
competitive.

On whether there is a credible candidate who can successfully
challenge Buhari, Agbakoba said: “That’s to be taken for
granted.”

He added: “I am aware there are massive consultations and
alignments underway throughout Nigeria and very credible candidates
will emerge to make the elections competitive and with strong
possibility for upsets across Nigeria.”

Another activist lawyer, Mr Toluwani Adebiyi, said Buhari’s
decision to seek reelection was “good for Nigeria”.

According to him, the President’s honesty and discipline make
him the best candidate, adding that a victory for the opposition
party would take Nigeria backwards.

Adebiyi said: “Buhari’s second coming is good for Nigeria. There
are two things he possesses: discipline and honesty, rare qualities
in present Nigeria Leaders. We need them and we will continue to
need them.

“No doubt he has made some economic restructuring and
diversification, benefits of which may not manifest until later
years.

“Let him come back to reap and use what he had sowed and the
looted money he had recovered for the betterment of Nigeria.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) coming back will only be to
loot/waste the money recovered. It will be a reign of revenge.

“Honesty and discipline cannot be acquired; they are inborn. No
PDP leader has such qualities. They will only take us back and down
the drain in a despicable form that Nigeria may never find
recovery.”

A leader of the National Intervention Movement (NIM) Dr Olisa
Agbakoba (SAN) on Tuesday said there could be “upsets” in next
year’s general elections.

Reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration to seek to
re-election, Agbakoba told The Nation that it was within the
President’s rights to do so.

He said it was left for Nigerians to decide if the President
deserves a second term.

On what he thought about Buhari’s declaration, Agbakoba said:
“It’s his constitutional entitlement but what really matters is
whether this means he will be re-elected is an entirely different
matter as this will be decided by Nigerians.”

Agbakoba, a civil rights activist and former Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) president, said discussions were ongoing with a
view to presenting a credible candidate who can match Buhari.

He predicted that next year’s general elections would be
competitive.

On whether there is a credible candidate who can successfully
challenge Buhari, Agbakoba said: “That’s to be taken for
granted.”

He added: “I am aware there are massive consultations and
alignments underway throughout Nigeria and very credible candidates
will emerge to make the elections competitive and with strong
possibility for upsets across Nigeria.”

Another activist lawyer, Mr Toluwani Adebiyi, said Buhari’s
decision to seek reelection was “good for Nigeria”.

According to him, the President’s honesty and discipline make
him the best candidate, adding that a victory for the opposition
party would take Nigeria backwards.

Adebiyi said: “Buhari’s second coming is good for Nigeria. There
are two things he possesses: discipline and honesty, rare qualities
in present Nigeria Leaders. We need them and we will continue to
need them.

“No doubt he has made some economic restructuring and
diversification, benefits of which may not manifest until later
years.

“Let him come back to reap and use what he had sowed and the
looted money he had recovered for the betterment of Nigeria.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) coming back will only be to
loot/waste the money recovered. It will be a reign of revenge.

“Honesty and discipline cannot be acquired; they are inborn. No
PDP leader has such qualities. They will only take us back and down
the drain in a despicable form that Nigeria may never find
recovery.”