In a statement that would have shocked some political gladiators in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari late on Wednesday night declared that he does not care about who succeeds him next year.

President Buhari, whose second and final term ends in 2023, said that year is not part of his problems.

 He spoke in an interview on privately owned Channels TV.

Ask to make a few comments on some the year 2023, the president said: “2023 is not my problem, I don’t care who succeeds me, let the person come, whoever the person is.

According to the president, “All important things I make sure I put them on record. Nobody should ask me to come and give any evidence in court, otherwise, whoever it is will be in trouble.

He went further to declare that he did not have a favourite for 2023 in his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, nor does he have a chosen successor. He explained the reason for his position.

“I wouldn’t because he will be eliminated before I mention, it is better I keep it a secret,” the president said.

Within the APC, the most prominent contender for Buhari’s seat is Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the party, and a close confidante of the president. Those who support Tinubu’s candidacy claim that there was a pact among the leaders of the party that at the end of Buhari’s eight years in the office, power would return to the Southwest region.

In a country where most successors to the political office usually ride on the support of their predecessors, it is not clear what impact Buhari’s speech will have on the struggle to succeed him, within the ruling party.