Incumbency Won’t Give Us Victory In 2023 – APC Chairman, Adamu

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, has charge members to work together for victory in next year’s general elections.

Adamu gave the charge during his speech at the launch of the APC presidential campaign in Jos on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

He informed the gathering that the APC must not rely on the fact that it currently controls power, as such would not save it if members failed to work hard. He enjoined them to work with unity of purpose and ensure that their presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wins the presidential election scheduled for February 2023.

READ ALSO: No Winner Will Be Denied Victory In 2023 – Buhari 

He pointed out that the party was able to clinch power in 2015 from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite being a new opposition party at the time.

“Our party, a newcomer as it then was, dislodged PDP from Aso Rock after 16 years and three presidents. It points to the inevitable fact that incumbency has its place but the right of a party to remain in office is not cast in stone.

“Incumbency confers no permanent advantage; it will not save us if we fail to work hard and do those things we ought to do to win the hearts and support of the Nigerian electorate. I emphasize hard work. I underline the unity of purpose; I double underline the need for us to pull together in the same direction. Together, we are strong and impregnable; divided we are weak and vulnerable,” Adamu stated.

The Tuesday event marked the formal flag-off of the APC presidential campaigns and those of other offices.

“Today, we also formally flag off the 2023 presidential campaign and by extension the campaigns for all the elective offices up for contest next year.”

Adamu once again congratulated Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima for clinching the party ticket and reminded them that the APC flag which they now hold, is a symbol of the party authority and “a banner that unites its leaders and members in the common cause of electoral victory and good governance.”

The party’s national chairman hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership that has seen the party grow to its current state. He also urged other candidates of the party to  remember that they are servants of the party being sent out to be good ambassadors and should not “do things that denigrate free, fair and credible elections” that could affect the integrity of the party and the country’s democracy at large.

While presenting the APC presidential candidate and his running, Adamu said both men have proven their capacity in public offices over the years.

“Mr President, distinguished ladies, and gentlemen, I wish now to present to you our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima. In the strict sense of the expression, both men need no introduction. They are household names, men who have proven their mettle and capacity in our national and sub-national politics,” Adamu stated.

He described Tinubu as a ”transformative leader” who changed the face of Lagos State as governor through his visionary leadership.

“The hallmarks of his politics have been good governance as well as effective and focused leadership. As governor of Lagos State, he succeeded in transforming the state into an oasis in the suffocating desert of poor and incompetent leadership that brought Lagos to its knees and the people nothing but poverty, despair, and frustration. He is a transformative leader. He transformed Lagos State,” Adamu stated.