Buhari can attest for president in 2019 - Obasanjo

A former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday denied a media report that he asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.

A former Chief Press Secretary to Mr. Obasanjo, Alex Nwokedi, was said to have made the comment on behalf of the former President in an online publication.

Mr. Nwokedi was reported as saying Mr. Obasanjo warned President Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.

Mr. Obasanjo, in a statement made available to journalists‎, said there has been no communication between him and Mr. Nwokedi in the last three years.

“My belief is that democracy allowed for anybody including President Buhari for that matter to contest any election and it is the prerogative rights of Nigerians to vote or not to vote for them,” the ex-president said.

“I have not communicated with Alex in the last three years, so how a story could be credited to me, when I did not authorize such or communicate with him in the last three years?”

The former leader said he could never give Mr. Buhari such advice.

“I condemn in the most highest manner the story and those behind it. And for those behind it, they are simply enemies of democracy and freedom of expression,” he said.