Buhari’s age makes him better to rule, says Presidency

The Presidency and his party, the All progressives Congress (APC), rose yesterday in defence of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose comment on his age in South Africa has received a negative interpretation.

Buhari, 72, said while addressing Nigerians in  South Africa after attending the African Union (AU) Summit, that he wished he were younger.

Among other reactions was that of the group, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Media Watchdog, which asked Buhari to resign.

The APC described the statement as “jejune”, saying the President has, within only three weeks in office, taken Nigeria to the front burner of international politics and taken a giant stride in the battle against Boko Haram by getting the support of the international community. The President has, in addition, been putting together “behind the kleiglights, a first class team to implement his change mantra”.

But PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh last night disowned the PDP Media Watchdog, saying “the group is absolutely unknown to the PDP and has no connection whatsoever with our party at any level”.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement  reiterated that the President is fit to govern with tweets on his handle @FemAdesina.

The statement said:   ”The President, who had served as a military governor of the then North-Eastern State at 33 years old, declared, ‘I wish I became Head of State when I was a governor. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do.’

“The above comments have been reported by some newspapers to mean that the President was saying he was too old to cope with the demands of his office. Far from it.

“As the saying goes, ‘old wines are tasty’ and the President Buhari we have today is a man, like old wine, that has got tastier.

“At 72, yes, he can’t be called a youth, but he has in quantum the wisdom, the patience, temperance and forbearance that age brings. And all these virtues he has brought to the Presidency, to make a difference in our national life.

“The President assured the Nigerian community in South Africa that his administration will make a positive impact on the country. And that he would do.

“Insecurity as symbolised by insurgency will be brought to an end, corruption will be fought to a standstill, employment will be created for the teeming army of unemployed, the economy will be revived, and the quality of life of Nigerians will take an upward swing again.

“These will not come by a sudden flight, but they will happen in the life of this administration.”

“At 72, the Buhari persona has not changed.

“The President remains the simple, honest, incorruptible patriot he has always been.

 ”They took his message well. That is the essence of good wine. It gets better with age. And it is a message for all Nigerians, both at home and in the Diaspora.”

 Using his Twitter handle, Adesina added: “All the virtues and values of the Buhari persona would be deployed into governance in the weeks and months ahead.

“The Nigerian community in SA was enthralled. In fact, leaving the venue was an effort, as they swarmed round the President, who shook hands with as many of them as he could,” Adesina concluded.