My position that Buhari must go in 2019 stands – Babangida

• My friends issued statement countering my position

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has affirmed the validity of the first statement he issued on Sunday that President Muhammadu Buhari should not seek re-election in 2019 and that he should allow a younger element to take over the presidency.

There had been controversy after a few hours the statement was made public, another one went into circulation without the hard line position Babangida took in the initial one.

THISDAY newspaper on Monday reported that Babangida said it was his friends who issued the second statement on his behalf.

The former ruler’s spokesman, Kassim Afegbua, had given this indication on Sunday when he appeared on a Channels Television programme.

Afegbua said he wrote the statement with and on the instruction of Babangida.

He said he could not have goofed on a job he has been doing for 14 years.

THISDAY quoted Babangida as having told it: “Original statement still stands.”