Nigeria’s Buhari facing pressure not to seek re-election in 2019
Lagos — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is facing increasing calls not to seek re-election next year, but he will probably decide to run and will be the favourite, according to New York-based risk consultancy Eurasia Group. He has been urged over the past month by former president Olusegun Obasanjo not to stand for a second term, while former army ruler Ibrahim Babangida has publicly said Nigeria needs a new generation of leaders. His wife Aisha re-tweeted messages suggesting he wasn’t fully in control of the government. "There is a 35% chance that Buhari decides not to contest the 2019 election," Amaka Anku, head of Eurasia’s Africa practice, said in a note to clients. "Nonetheless, walking away from the presidency would be a very difficult move for Buhari. He will face significant pressure from his closest advisers to seek a second term, even if he personally prefers to step aside." Buhari’s critics have said his economic policies exacerbated a slump triggered by the 2014 cras...
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