The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated on Wednesday that President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Major General, is neither favoring nor opposing any presidential candidate in the lead-up to the February 25 election. This assertion came after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting and was in response to comments made by Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. El-Rufai had alleged that certain individuals within Aso Rock were undermining the presidential aspirations of Bola Tinubu, the candidate from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
During an appearance on Channels Television’s breakfast program, Sunrise Daily, El-Rufai expressed concerns that some elements in the Villa were working against Tinubu because they were dissatisfied with the outcome of the June 2022 APC presidential primary, where Tinubu emerged victorious over their preferred candidate. He cited the naira redesign policy as one of several strategies aimed at hindering Tinubu’s chances. El-Rufai claimed, “I believe there are elements in the Villa that want us to lose the election because they didn’t get their way; they had their candidate. Their candidate did not win the primaries.” He further criticized the petroleum subsidy, arguing that it was costing the country trillions of Naira and that its removal had been collectively agreed upon by government officials.
El-Rufai recalled a conversation with the President in 2021 regarding the subsidy, emphasizing that it was illogical to allocate a capital budget of N200 billion for federal roads while spending N2 trillion on subsidies. He also discussed the currency redesign, asserting that while the Central Bank Governor is often blamed, the initiative aligns with Buhari’s previous actions during his first term, which aimed to combat illicit fund hoarding. However, he questioned the timing of this policy, suggesting it lacked political and economic sense.
In response to these allegations, Minister Mohammed reiterated that President Buhari is committed to ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria. He emphasized that the administration is focused on maintaining neutrality and not favoring any candidate. “On a more serious note, one thing I can assure you is that, no matter who, this administration is focused and determined to ensure a free and fair election,” he stated. Mohammed highlighted that Buhari has consistently expressed his commitment to credible elections, asserting that fair elections inherently mean not favoring or disfavouring any candidate.
Moreover, he clarified that the Presidency is not “officially aware” of any individuals in Aso Rock actively working against Tinubu’s candidacy. Mohammed concluded by noting that Buhari has made his stance clear on multiple occasions, including a recent statement made during his visit to Daura, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to a transparent electoral process.
Comments are closed for this story.