successor for the 2023 presidential election.
The president stated this while reacting to one of the requests made by
the members of progressives in academics, who visited him at the State
House, Abuja on Tuesday.
The spokesperson of the group, Dr. Bolariwa Bolajim had earlier enjoined
the president to commence the proceed of grooming his successor, who
would take over the mantle of leadership from him in 2023
Bolaji said: “We are delighted having you and in another four-year time
you would want to go and rest – then who takes over from you?
“We are suggesting that you bring vibrant youths among people who have
shown interest, bring them in so that you start saddling them with
responsibilities and you will be watching them over these next four
years so that when you want to leave the circle, you would have vibrant
youths to hand over to.
“This is one of the ways the gains of this government can be made to be
continues – so that there will be continuity in what you are doing.’’
However, President Buhari said he would rather stay away from
identifying anybody as his successor so as not to create a problem for
such a person.
The president said: “To me, this is very funny. I think if I identify
anybody I’d create more problems for him or for her.
“So, I’d rather keep my mouth shut. Let those who would want to be
president try as much as I did. And I believe that those who are
interested know that I tried three times.
“And the first time, I thank God and technology, PVC. Before they just
go to the television and they read the results. They say anybody who
disagreed should go to court.
“And most of my supporters are looking for the next day’s meal. They
don’t have money to give to lawyers. So I said God dey. So, the first
time God and technology came along, PVC they couldn’t rig the election
so I won.
The president, therefore, challenged the youths to continue to work
harder, saying that they should not take things for granted.
“I tried to work hard but I think you have a lot more to do you as
intellectuals so that you correctly document Nigeria’s political
development. It’s very important for the next generation.
“A lot of our young chaps are taking things for granted. Imagine
contesting election three times ending up in Supreme Court three times.
It needs a lot of conviction you know, and hard work.
“But people take success for granted. They say, ah, he’s the president.
They think it’s just closed my eyes and I got it? The president asked
rhetorically, he added.
The Members of the progressives in Academics, who were drawn from
different tertiary institutions across the country, presented three
proposals on revitalization of education, power, and agriculture to the
president possible approval.