January 07, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday warned that the opposition may take over power in 2023 if his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), failed to put its house in order.
The president stated this while responding to a question during an exclusive interview on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) monitored by THEWILL.
When asked if the APC can manage its multiple crises before its national convention, the President said the party should learn from the fate that befell the PDP in the 2015 general elections.
According to him, the PDP which was then the ruling party was so arrogant and never believed that opposition parties could unite and come together to contest the presidential election.
He added that by the time the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) merged, it was too late for the PDP to realise its mistake.
“Well, we have timeframe. We have to work because the four-year cycle is constitutional; it cannot be interfered by anybody. So, if the party cannot agree, then the opposition can take over.
“What did the PDP do? They thought that the opposition cannot agree and come together. But when the ACN, ANPP, CPC, APGA came together, they were off. They are still off. So, they can see it”, he said.
The President also said no person accused of corruption can go scot-free even if they join his party.
Many observers have pointed out that some opposition politicians accused of corruption are fond of joining the ruling party to avoid being prosecuted.
However, President Buhari said joining the APC does not absolve anyone accused of corruption from the crime.
President Buhari also said he has given his best to Nigeria and he expects citizens to acknowledge the same after he leaves office.
“What I am expecting is for Nigerians to say this man has done his best”, the Nigerian leader added.
He said he plans to take a well-deserved rest after leaving office in about 17 months.
He admitted that old age is telling on him, adding that he has been rescued from the daily rigours of office by COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on how he has been able to cope with the rigours of office at 79, Buhari said the outbreak of COVID-19 has reduced the number of persons he receives on a daily basis.
He, however, said that he cannot complain because he asked for the job of presiding over the affairs of the nation.
“I think that COVID-19 has come to our rescue in the sense that the amount of people that need to see you can’t see you. That really gives you more time.
“About my age, I see my colleagues, they are now resting and I assure you that I’m looking forward to that in the next 17 months when I too will have to be less busy. The age is telling on me, working now for 6, 7, 8 hours per day in the office is no joke.
“The executive council, memos from as many states as possible to be considered virtually every week. So, really, it is a lot of hard work but like I said, I asked for it so I cannot complain”, he said
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