The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has expressed disappointment and dismay over the growing practice of “tinkering with constitutions” by some African leaders to stretch their term in office.

This is as he said that elections should be safe and secure, without coercion of any form.

Buhari said this on Friday during a bilateral meeting with the Permanent Representative of the US to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘President Buhari lauds America’s support on fight against terrorism.’

Earlier, the Ambassador noted that about 70% of her work at the UN centers on Africa, and expressed worry about the recent military takeover in Mali and Guinea.

In his response, Buhari said leaders have to respect their people, part of which is to obey the term-limit clauses in their Constitution.

“I am surprised when people spend the maximum term possible, and then tinker with the Constitution, to stay longer.

“In Nigeria, we try to educate our people to appreciate the democratic system. Elections should be safe and secure, with no coercion of any form. People should elect the people they want. That would grow democracy,” he said.

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The President also indicated that America’s support was a morale booster to the military and the people of Nigeria in general.

“Support by the United States of America has made a great difference in Nigeria’s efforts to stamp out terrorism within its borders,” the President said.

He said, with the supply of the Super Tucano aircraft purchased from America, and other helicopters on the way, ending the security challenges in Nigeria was only a matter of time.

On how the country was able to mitigate the scourge of the Coronavirus pandemic, of which the Ambassador said the Delta variant was “very virulent,” Buhari disclosed that the Federal Government raised a special team which, in conjunction with states, educated people on safety methods, “and we are not doing badly vis-a-vis our population.”

He said the Coronavirus does not discriminate between small and big, rich and poor countries, “so we all have to collaborate and work together.”

On climate change, the President said the impact had been badly felt in the Lake Chad basin area, with more than 30 million people affected, deprived of access to fishing, farming, animal husbandry, and causing irregular migration and other anti-social acts.

He then canvassed concerted action on inter-basin water transfer from the Congo Basin to Lake Chad.