Presidency speaks on ‘foreign pressure’ against Buhari

Femi Adesina

The presidency has reacted to news that foreign powers, including the European Union, the United States of America, United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia, are putting pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina in a statement on Tuesday, said the information was “fake news”.

He said: “If there are quarters in which President Buhari is held in very high esteem, and the work he is doing for Nigeria highly lauded, it is in the countries mentioned.

“Some of them are equally bastions of democracy, and will not interfere in the democratic affairs of a sovereign country. The newspaper should simply tell its story to the marines.

“President Buhari is not a flippant or frivolous individual. He gave deep thought to the prospect, before announcing his bid for a second term in office.

“It is only those who fear that their goose would be cooked, if they meet with him at the polls, that are trying to dissuade him from running by all means, including sponsored newspaper stories.

“By saying it got feelers that President Buhari may opt out of the 2019 presidential election, Daily Independent embarrassed itself, and all those who love good journalism. The newspaper can surely do better.”