AWKA—SOUTH East Elders’ Council has promised to support President
Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election if he decides to run
again, arguing that the All Progressives Congress, APC, controlled
government had done well in fighting corruption and the dreaded Boko
Haram insurgency.
Chairman of the forum and former President
General of the apex Igbo socio -cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
Dr Dozie Ikedife told reporters yesterday at Nnewi that South East
leaders took the decision at their meeting in Enugu.
Ikedife,
however, said it was not yet clear if President Buhari would contest
again, adding that he would not be drafted for the position when he had
not indicated any interest.
He said: “There are so many factors
to be taken into consideration while talking about Buhari for the second
tenure. You have to know whether the man wants to go for a second
tenure before you begin to support him. If he does not indicate any
interest, then what is the purpose of supporting him?
“Are you
going to draft him into the position? And you should know that between
now and 2019 is a long time in political calendar because a lot of
things can still happen. There is this saying that man proposes, but God
disposes. But left with us, if he wants to run, let him go ahead.
“We will support him but the decision has to come from him and not foisted on him by his handlers.”