TheCable

Abdulrahman Sumaila, special adviser on legislative matters to President Muhammadu Buhari, says his principal is strong enough for “2019 electoral battle”.

Sumaila said this while speaking with journalists at the Kano state government house on Monday.

On Sunday, Buhari travelled to the UK on a medical follow-up – 57 days after he returned to the country.

His health status has been a source of concern, with some calling on him to step down.

But Sumaila, who expressed confidence that Buhari’s health condition would improve, said the president would defeat any opponent from his party if a primary election was held.

“From what I have seen at close range, my boss is quite fit for 2019 electoral battle,” he said.

“Buhari has nothing to fear. President Buhari’s fitness status was played up in 2015 general election, he survived the campaign rigour, won the election and on the verge of taking Nigeria to the promised land.

“Buhari is quite all right, he is fit to pass through a familiar terrain, and it’s human to fall sick, and I’m highly confident he would get better.

“Those who have legitimate ambition should step forward, but they should also have at the back of their mind the fatal consequence of such misadventure in 2015.”

Sumaila also said that Buhari’s two years in office had been “eventful and fruitful”, and that “his ability to degrade the insurgency was a landmark in the history of this country”.