Victor Ezeja
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the national chairman and governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that the forthcoming convention to elect a presidential candidate of the party conforms with democratic principles.
Buhari gave the charge during a meeting with the 22 APC governors and the party national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, in the State House, Abuja on Tuesday.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari stressed the need to maintain strong leadership that ensures internal cohesion within the party which is a hallmark of revered democratic systems across the world, pointing out that it would help in emerging successful during elections.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBuhari was quoted as saying, “The processes for the 2023 General Elections have commenced in earnest and I note that the most successful political parties globally have always relied on their internal cohesion and a strong leadership brand to achieve bigger electoral fortunes. Our party, the APC, shall not be any different, more so as we are still implementing the blueprint for a more prosperous nation.
“As I begin the final year of my second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the party, I recognize the compelling need for me to provide stronger leadership to the party under this transition process and to ensure that it happens in an orderly manner.
“Such leadership is required so that the party remains strong and united. It is also needed to improve our electoral fortunes by ensuring that it retains power at the center, hold the great majority in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states.”
APC shifted its special national convention earlier scheduled to hold on May 28 and 29, to June 6 and 7, 2022. During the convention, the members would through delegate voting, pick the presidential flag bearer of the party for the 2023 election.
“This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership,” Buhari charged.
The President appealed to all the governors to align their interests and maintain focus on the changing dynamics of the political environment, the expectations of the citizens, and the global community. “Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of a candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections,” Buhari added.
The President assured that the consultation process will continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention, stressing that it would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors is effectively brought under control to enable the party emerge stronger.
Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu who spoke on behalf of the APC governors said the party must build on the successes of its recent national convention and the primaries conducted so far to “come up with a candidate who will walk in the footsteps of patriotism and love for the country.”
“We will support Mr. President to have a very successful convention,” Bagudu pledged.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
