Buhari’s 2019 bid taking shape as ministers Amaechi, Shittu get campaign roles

Buhari's 2019 Bid taking shape

Following the reported nomination of Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, by President Muhammadu Buhari to chair his re-election campaign, Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, has provided yet another clear indication that the president is preparing the grounds for his announcement to run, as he briefed Buhari of a new South-West campaign organization to be inaugurated on January 20.

A ThisDay report had earlier claimed that Amaechi had been appointed as director-general of Buhari’s 2019 campaign, a role he played for then candidate Buhari towards the 2015 election.

Speaking Wednesday, Shittu revealed the new organization as ‘Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group’, and disclosed that he had been appointed the national chairman of its board of trustees.

He spoke in an interview with state house correspondents after meeting with Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Shittu said it was part of effort to get the president to run, noting that Buhari’s supporters would prevail on him to seek re-election.

He said they would “help Buhari to make up his mind so that Nigeria can continue to enjoy stability and progress”.

“It goes without saying. I mean if you have a child who goes to primary school and he does well, he proceeds to secondary school and he does well, and you keep asking if he will be going to university. It goes without saying.

“By the grace of God, we his (Buhari’s) ardent supporters who appreciate his worth on behalf of millions of Nigerians would urge him to re-contest.

“I know he has not made up his mind but I can say that some of us can assist him in making up his mind so that Nigeria can continue to enjoy stability and progress in our land.”

Asked if the development was proof that campaign for 2019 had started, the minister said, “Every day since he (Buhari) came into office, all his activities are geared towards letting Nigerians know that they have a saviour, a rescuer, somebody who is committed to providing relief for Nigerians in all respect,” he said.

“In the area of fighting corruption, insurgency whether in the north-east or the Niger Delta; in the area of repairing the economy and providing jobs and providing social stability in the society.

“You will agree with me that today but for Buhari, Boko Haram would have invaded even Lagos.”