The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday distanced itself from a legal action which is seeking a third term in office for President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Constitution limits a president’s tenure to a maximum of two terms of four years each. Buhari is presently serving his second term having won the February 2019 presidential election and sworn in on May 29.
But there has been a clamour recently for an amendment of the Constituton so that the president can serve an illegal third term.
But the ruling party said it was not part of the plot.
In a statement by the national publicity secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the APC said it had read in the media about “a purported legal action taken by a self-proclaimed member of the party, Charles Enya, seeking an amendment of the constitution to allow President Muhammadu Buhari run for a third term in office.”
The party said it had initially chosen to ignore Enya but decided that it had “become important to send a clear message to him and such other agents provocateurs.”
Issa-Onilu’s statement reads in part:
“At the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, President Buhari didn’t mince words and he is not the type that talks tongue-in-cheek. He pointedly said he would abide by the constitution and uphold the oath of office he took, swearing by the holy book he believes in. This he said was besides his advanced age which made such an idea beyond his contemplation.
“The NEC meeting highlights released to the media by the party equally quoted the President admonishing APC members, leaders and elected officials to reposition themselves in their respective constituencies so as to sustain the administration’s landmark legacies beyond 2023 when the President’s constitutionally permitted terms end.
“The president said history would not be fair to members if the APC collapses after his second term. What better proof is required of the President’s resolve to abide by the constitution on term limit?
“The party is, however, by this statement sending a strong signal to such other busybodies like Charles Enya who may be contemplating testing the resolve of our government on our mission to work for the best for our country to be ready to face the law.
“We would follow this new enemy of our country, who is most likely being sponsored by the desperate and misguided opposition, every step of the way, using all legal means to thwart his devilish efforts to create chaos in our country.
“As a party, we would not take kindly to anyone or group causing unnecessary distraction for this administration through anti-democratic actions. As a country, we are several years behind where we ought to be.
“The President Buhari-led administration is focused on the onerous responsibility of delivering good governance.
“We are focused on revamping our moribund infrastructure, growing the economy, fighting corruption, creating the right environment for our teeming youths to deploy their creative energies, and providing adequate security for all of our people.
“We have tried to find out the status of this character claiming to be a member of our party. If he turns out to be our member, we would ensure the party organ that has the responsibility to act on this matter promptly commences the process of expelling him.
“We are a progressive party and we do not have space for anti-democratic forces and charlatans.”
