-Anietie Udobit,Abuja
President Buhari’s Spokesman, Garba Shehu has said that there is no truth in the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is working towards an interim government or even worse, the truncation of democracy.
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Garba, who said this in his verified twitter handle @GarShehu on Friday evening was quoted as saying that;
“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 & 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.”
He also noted that the President is concerned about the problem posed by the currency swap to his Party, the elected officials, candidates and security agencies currently, and it’s the reason he has opened several avenues for consultation with leaders and groups across the country;
“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.
“It is precisely because the President is concerned with this problem that he opened several avenues for consultation with leaders and groups across the country, culminating in his broadcast to the nation on Thursday morning.
“In line with the speech, his clear and unequivocal directive is that the problem of cash supply must be addressed without delay.
“While this is being done, there is no need to panic. We need to work together as leaders; as a people and as one nation. 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”, he said.
Garba also said the election will hold as schedule, and that President Buhari’s support of his party Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not in doubt;
“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”, Garba concluded.