By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a surprising twist of events, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection in the upcoming 2024 United States presidential election.
This decision comes amid growing concerns from fellow Democrats about his cognitive abilities and his capacity to secure a victory against former President Donald Trump.
Biden made his announcement on the social media platform X, expressing his continued commitment to his presidential duties until the end of his term in January 2025.
“Serving as your President has been the greatest honor of my life. Although I intended to run for reelection, I believe stepping down is in the best interest of my party and the country. My focus will now be on fulfilling my responsibilities as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote.
The President’s withdrawal paves the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to potentially lead the Democratic ticket, making her the first Black woman to do so in U.S. history. However, Biden did not mention Harris in his announcement.
The political landscape remains uncertain as it is unclear if other prominent Democrats will challenge Harris for the party’s nomination or if the Democratic Party will open the field to new candidates. Biden’s decision follows intense pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party officials, spurred by his poor performance in a recent debate against Trump.
This development marks a significant shift in the 2024 presidential race, leaving the Democratic Party at a critical juncture as it strategizes for the upcoming election.