2019: See Presidency’s reaction to Northern coalition’s verdict on Buhari, Atiku

The Presidency has reacted to a statement by Northern coalition calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar not to seek election come 2019.

The coalition after a summit in Kaduna declared Buhari and Atiku unfit to run owing to their age, stating that those above 70 years should be disqualified from contesting.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu speaking to Punch challenged the Coalition of Northern Groups to cite the section of the nation’s constitution that stipulates that those above 70 years cannot contest the presidential seat.

He said the country was being governed by law, hence nobody’s constitutional right could be abridged for no just cause.

The presidential spokesman said, “Let them tell us the section of the constitution that stops those above 70 years from contesting.

“As you know, the country is governed by law and the President has not breached any law by showing interest in the race.

“If they want to contest, they are free to come out and do so. The President is not stopping anybody from contesting against him.”