Buhari Has Done What His Knowledge, Strength, Exposure Permit — Ken Nnamani

*Says Some Of Those Buying Forms For Presidential Hopefuls Are Struggling To Pay Rent

Former President of the Senate and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Ken Nnamani, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in managing Nigeria to the extent of his strength, knowledge and exposure.

Senator Nnamani stated this while speaking on Arise News on Wednesday about his political ambition, his plans for Nigeria, as well as issues in the ruling APC.

He said he would improve on what Buhari had done for the country, adding that it was an achievement that the president had been able to keep the country together.

“The President has done as much as his strength and exposure and knowledge can carry him. By making sure that we have remained together up to today is an achievement. So I think he has done to the best of his ability,” Nnamani said.

He however lamented the high cost of the APC’s nomination forms, describing it as a threat to the nation’s democracy.

The former lawmaker said there was a need for a rethink in order to improve the inclusion of youth, women and most Nigerians, who earn salaries in an economy that has become depressed, in politics.

He said, “We should not indulge ourselves in exclusive politics where we exclude the youth, the women and some other people who may not have the means or who have not accumulated enough resources to spend on buying the nomination forms.

“I understand in the United States if you are running for the same race is about five thousand dollars, and I think we would be excluding quite a number of highly qualified people when we come up with such figure.”

Speaking about the situation, Nnamani said the seat of the president of the federation is “serious business” and “does not require somebody who is being persuaded to go”.

He added that “the shadowy groups going about saying they are purchasing forms for people is a laughing situation,” adding that the trend should be discouraged.

“Our history is replete with reluctant leaders. This concept of collecting forms by proxy — people who go and collect forms for someone. We are talking about serious business; leading a country as complicated and complex as Nigeria requires someone who is prepared for the primetime. It does not require somebody who is being persuaded to go. It means the person is not even ready,” the former president of the senate said.

“The discussion so far as being on people for who shadow groups have gone to obtain forms and claim to have contributed money for somebody. But if you take a close look at those buying forms for people, some of them appeared to be having difficulty paying their house rent. We are starting on a wrong footing –telling lies. Anybody who is serious about contesting should go and buy the form and not send people while claiming reluctance.

“The shadowy group going about saying they are purchasing forms for people is a laughing situation. It’s a big lie and it should be discouraged.”