BUHARI DECLINES CALL FOR TENURE EXTENSION, VOWS TO STEP DOWN NEXT YEAR
President Muhammadu Buhari has said there is no going back on leaving office after completing his constitutionally guaranteed tenure, emphasising that the May 29, 2023, handover date is sacrosanct.
Speaking through Malam Garba Shehu, his media aide, Buhari said the current administration would honour the constitution and people’s right to decide.
His reaction follows the suggestions of Chief Robert Clarke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), that the constitution should be suspended for a new one.
Clarke had said the President could extend his tenure by six months if insecurity could affect the 2023 general elections.
But the president said the suggestion on the need to suspend the constitution might create crisis and instability.
“In response to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria’s recent remarks, the Presidency wishes to state as follows:
Chief Robert Clarke, a very well-respected elder may be sincere in his wish for the President to extend his term by six months. We wish to categorically restate that the President will step down on May 29th, 2023, after serving two terms – as per the constitution”
