* Says Buhari regards Tinubu as worthy successor
In what can be regarded as response to critics, the Presidency has urged promoters of Interim National Government (ING) to perish the thought, insisting that the forthcoming elections will hold as scheduled.
The Presidency stated this in a statement made available to TheIdeal News on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu .
Shehu also cited Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda Chief of Adolf Hitler who said ‘‘Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth’’, adding that Goebbels made the infamous quote in the 1930s, before the internet was birthed.
He said, ” Let us clearly, specifically and emphatically state that there is absolutely no truth to the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is working towards an interim government or even worse, the truncation of democracy- democracy that he has helped to keep alive not only here at home, in West Africa but throughout the continent.
“The talk of interim government and truncation of democracy is way off the mark. Those who peddle it stand to gain nothing- nothing at all -but the creation of panic and the incitement of the public against the federal government.
“It is another dangerous dimension by people who are afraid that they may lose their elections.
“Everybody is aware that there is a lot of pressure on everyone-all of us- the party, its elected officials, its candidates and law enforcement agencies following the way the currency swap has gone but the way to go is not to panic.
“There is indeed a problem and nobody will pretend that it doesn’t exist.”
According to the presidential spokesman, Buhari is concerned with the problem, saying that that he opened several avenues for consultation with leaders and groups across the country, culminating in his broadcast to the nation on Thursday morning.
He added that in line with the speech, the President gave a clear and unequivocal directive- the problem of cash supply must be addressed without delay.
Shehu also said that while the directive is being done, there is no need to panic, saying that there is the need to work together as leaders, as a people and as one nation.
He said, ” When panic hits, people go into overdrive. Shouting helps no one because no one can listen. The solution to the problem is not in sending Nigerians into confusion.
“Elections, just a week ahead, will hold and Nigerians will vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC, (and any others if they so wish) on the basis of their choice.
“Our people want progress, good governance, law and order and will not be swayed by the negative energy that is being expended against a well-meaning currency change.
On the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu and the stance of Buhari, Shehu said that the President is backing Tinubu and regard him as a worthy successor .
He said, “Finally, to state that: the President clearly has a favoured successor in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is not in doubt.
“The fact that Tinubu has been opposed to the speed and timing of the Naira swap timetable does not mean he is against the idea of Nigeria becoming a cashless society. Of course, Tinubu does support a cashless society: for he is a man of the future.
“What should be made crystal clear to the doubters and the speculators and the untruth-tellers is that in no way was the naira swap “engineered” to keep the President in office beyond May 29. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“The President looks forward to handing over the reins of power to his elected successor. This will happen on May 29, 2023 as the Constitution requires it.
“The days of unelected Nigerian leaders, and those who outstay their welcome by unconstitutionally extending it, have gone”.
