El-Rufai: Buhari has not decided on 2019

Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai

• APC To Hold Mid-Term Convention Before Year Ends
• Fires Back at Sani 

As the jury is out on whether President Muhammadu Buhari should or not seek a second term in 2019, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has given a strong indication that the President has not even considered it. Speaking to The Guardian at The Royal Institute of International Affairs- a.k.a. Chatham House- on Friday, the governor, who is a confidant of the President, described Buhari as a man not in a hurry to make the “decision.”

El-Rufai, who spoke for two consecutive days at the venue, also fired a shot at his colleague in All Progressives Congress (APC) and political rival, Senator Shehu Sanni, and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

Asked if he has had any conversation with the President about his intentions for 2019, firstly he described Buhari as: “someone who likes to take his time and look at all the facts before making a decision.” 

When then told that Sani, who represents Kaduna Central in the upper legislative chambers of the National Assembly, was quoted a few days earlier by a national daily as saying he (El-Rufai) is among those clamouring for President Buhari to seek reelection, as the governor cannot win without riding on Buhari’s goodwill, the governor responded: “that is his – the senator’s – opinion. He’s entitled to his opinion.” 

He advised the senator to reserve his views till 2019. ‘It’s okay to talk like that, but let’s wait and see. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. l speak only in elections, and not just in opinions. Some politicians will never be heard of again after 2019 elections. Nobody will remember them again after 2019.”