Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that he will step down in 2023 and won’t contest in any future elections, reported Bloomberg. The statement comes amid reports that claimed that Buhari is seeking to change the constitution to be eligible for a third term.
He said he is a strong believer in democratic principles and will promote and sustain them in Nigeria and across West Africa.
“I will be standing down in 2023 and will not be available in any future elections,” the Nigerian president noted in a New Year’s letter addressed to the people released by the Presidency on Wednesday. “But I am determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region.”
The 77-year-old Buhari won a second four-year mandate in March and as per Nigeria’s constitution, it is going to be his last term.
Amid speculations surrounding the possible presidential candidates of ruling All Progressives Council and opposition People’s Democratic Party who will fight the next presidential contest, Buhari has repeatedly turned down reports that he plans to compete.
In his New Year’s letter titled ‘A Letter from the President at New Year’, Buhari stated that fighting corruption, improving the economy and combating insecurity would remain the main target of his regime in 2020. He added that his regime would work to improve power supply, build roads/houses for Nigerians, develop agriculture, diversify the economy, create jobs, combat terrorism and promote democracy.
While Buhari has confirmed that he will be stepping down in 2023, some of his other African counterparts are churning out plans to extend their terms beyond two-term limits.
Guinea’s Alpha Conde, 81, announced a plan to come up with a new constitution that could enable him to extend his rule. Ivory Coast’s leader, Alassane Ouattara, 77, also declared that he’ll stand for a third term if certain candidates from his generation also run, as a constitutional change made in 2016 allows him to do so.
