'Buhari is not too old to govern Nigeria' - Presidential aide says

dimeji akinloye

June 17, 2015 9:44 PM

The President is said to be very fit and capable to discharge his duties as at when due.

The Presidency has reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s age, 72, is not a barrier for him to cope with the demands of his office.

Buhari had said on Monday, June 15, while speaking with the Nigerian community at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa, that he wished he became Nigeria’s Head of State earlier, pointing that at 72 years, his performance would be limited.

“I wish I became Head of State when I was a governor. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do,” he said.

The statement however has generated mixed reactions, with the opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) calling for his resignation and many Nigerians expressing doubt at the choice they made at the poll on March 28, 2015.

In a statement signed by Buhari’s Special Adviser, Femi Adesina, the President is said to be very fit and capable to discharge his duties as at when due.

It said, “As the saying goes, “old wines are tasty” and the President Buhari we have today is a man, like old wine, that has got tastier. At 72, yes, he can’t be called a youth, but he has in quantum the wisdom, the patience, temperance and forbearance that age brings. And all these virtues he has brought to the Presidency, to make a difference in our national life.

“At 72, the Buhari persona has not changed. He remains the simple, honest, incorruptible patriot he has always been. And because Nigerians earnestly desired change, that was why they voted for him overwhelmingly at the general elections in March, this year. All the virtues and values of the Buhari persona will be deployed into governance in the weeks and months ahead.”

However, in another statement released by a supposed PDP Media watchdog group, the party said it has been vindicated on its past comments that Buhari is too old to govern Nigeria, therefore calling on the President to resign and not hold Nigeria to ransome.

dimeji akinloye