Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken about the forthcoming 2019 election, stating that President Muhammadu Buhari is free to contest in the election.
Obasanjo spoke in reaction to a report that he has advised Buhari not to seek re-election.
Alex Nwokedi, the ex-president’s chief press secretary (CPS), was said to have made the comment on his behalf.
However, Obasanjo described the report as false and destructive.
“My belief is that democracy allowed for anybody including President Buhari for that matter to contest any election and it is the prerogative rights of Nigerians to vote or not to vote for them,” read a statement issued on behalf of the ex-president by Kehinde Akinyemi, his media aide.
“I have not communicated with Alex in the last three years, so how a story could be credited to me, when I did not authorize such or communicate with him in the last three years?
“I condemn in the highest manner the story and those behind it. And for those behind it, they are simply enemies of democracy and freedom of expression.”