Since then, Nigerians have been reacting to the declaration. In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative
Matters, Chief Edozie Ezeugwa advised President Buhari to jettison the idea because, according to him he did not fulfill promises made to the citizenry during the 2015 general elections.
Chief Ezeugwa recalled that in 2015, President Buhari promised Nigerians that he would make the nation’s economy one of the fastest
growing in the world with a real GDP growth averaging at least twelve per cent annually, revive and reactivate the nation’s refineries to
optimum capacity, ensure constant power supply among others but failed to fulfill them.
On her part, the Member representing Onitsha South Constituency Two in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mrs Beverly Ikpeazu Nkemdichenoted that what the President did is right, as the constitution allows him to run for a second term.
She however advised the President to concentrate first on winning the hearts of Nigerians to support his re-election bid by addressing the hardship his administration has inflicted on the citizens.
The Member representing Njikoka Constituency One, Dr Timothy Ifedioramma, urged the President to forget the idea as his
administration has not been transparent in the fight against corruption, stressing that it has not accounted for the recovered
looted funds.
Contributing, the Anglican Bishop of Ihiala Diocese, Right Reverend Professor Israel Okoye who viewed the declaration of President Buhari to seek re-election in 2019 general election, as a game of somebody being lured into the race, called on Nigerians to pray for the success of next year’s election.
Bishop Okoye used the opportunity to call on eligible voters to take the advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise by INEC to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, in order to participate during elections.
A People Democratic Party PDP, stewart in the state, Hon. Emeka Ude, on his biter mode, said many aspirants are already working behind the scene to succeed Buhari in 2019. Hon Ude, who told Sunday Tribune that the aspirants believe that no time would be better than 2019 to upstage the APC-led federal government.
He said the ruling party has lost the magic wand it used in winning the 2015 presidential election and would be an easy prey in the next general election.
Some of those eyeing the seat in the PDP family according to him, include Governors of Ekiti and Gombe states, Ayo Fayose and Ibrahim Dankwambo respectively, as well as former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.
He said that the PDP would not like to make the mistake of the 2015 general elections by going to 2019 as a divided house.
He said that even though some aspirants of the PDP are already positioning for the presidential seat, the party hierarchy is being
cautious to ensure that it presents a popular candidate in 2019 presidential election.
However, in a counter reaction, the former Governorship aspirant in the 2017 Anambra governorship election and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the State, Hon. Johnbossco Onukwu has received the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari to run for a second tenure with excitement and describe it as a welcome development.
The former Aspirant, told Nigerian Tribune that he was excited that Buhari finally agreed to seek re-election in 2019, to complete the
good work he has started.
According to him, it was an opportunity for Igbo to re-align with government at the centre to achieve their expectations as far as
Nigerian project was concerned.
Onukwu said the people of the “South East would give President Buhari more support and massive votes now than ever before, without sentiment considering what he has done for the Igbos in terms of appointment, security,and what he will still do to show he cares for them.”
He regretted that the Igbo gave 99 per cent support to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration “and had nothing to show for it” while President Buhari, who the Igbo had not supported en masse in the first instance, had done more for the region.
Another Chieftain of the party in the State, Chief Okey Dozie said the re-election of Buhari would deepen democracy and enhance economic growth and development.
He mention among the achievements of the president, so far which include the growth of the foreign reserve from $30 billion to about
$47 billion, road infrastructure, anti-graft campaign, job creation, youth empowerment, defeat of Boko Haram and fiscal discipline.
“Though he has performed creditably well in his first term, more needed to be done and four years obviously is not enough for him to
fully accomplish his programmes and policies.
“Again the South-East will have brighter opportunity to produce the next Nigerian President by 2023.
The chieftain told our correspondent that the declaration has put an end to uncertainties on whether the President would offer himself for a second term.
He praised the President for taking the bold decision, saying that the second term of Buhari would stabilise security concerns, enhance political, economic and industrial growth and as well give a lasting solution to Herdsmen/farmers clashes in the country.
and then