President says he announced 2nd term bid early to 'cool tempers'

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the reason he announced his intention to run for re-election in the 2019 presidential election was to "save a lot of time and cool tempers".

The president announced his decision to seek re-election to the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives' Congress (APC) on April 9, 2018, after months of speculations.

While receiving members of the Buhari Support Group Centre, by DG Umaru Dembo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, July 20, he said he made the announcement to put an end to speculations.

He said, "I had to announce before the National Executive Committee about my intention to ask for the party's nomination for next year's election, so that we can save a lot of time and cool tempers.

"A lot of people are trying to make it a habit of being a nuisance to themselves and to Nigerians. So, when I announced my intention, I said, 'Okay, let those who are serious come out' and I try to make sure that the party is re-organised and consolidated.

"This is so that we start from bottom to top, so that Nigerians will be involved and that each constituency will pick those they want to represent them at various levels, whether local government chairmen, counselors, state houses of assemblies, House of Representatives, Senate and finally, the Presidency.

"With this participation, some of the people who are educated and sophisticated, they say for those who have got the money, bring the money but we will still do what we want to do."

The president further urged Nigerians to make educated choices when deciding to vote, disclosing that he has told state governors to ensure the people get proper voter's education.

Buhari's battle for re-election

When Buhari announced his decision in April, he said it was an answer to the calls by Nigerians to remain in office.

He made history when he defeated then-president, Goodluck Jonathan, in the 2015 presidential election by more than 2.5 million votes, the first time a sitting president lost an election in Nigeria.

He is expected to face a tougher test this time around as he has had to battle health complications that resulted in him seeking treatment for an undisclosed ailment in London for a combined 154 days in 2017.