UPDATE: Buhari Bows To Pressure, May Allow Party Choose Successor

Ahead of the long-awaited presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) billed for Tuesday, June 7, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari seems to have shelved his widely-knocked ambition of choosing his successor.

Buhari, in a latest consultation with the National Advisory Council of the party, finally agreed that presidential aspirants of the APC should consult, build consensus and come up with the party’s presidential candidate for the fast-approaching 2023 polls.

The fresh directive of the president came around the same time when northern governors had asked him to source for his successor from the southern part of the country, an insider who pleaded anonymity said.

Held on Saturday at the State House, Abuja, the meeting was attended by Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Akande, his successor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the APC National Chairman, Senator  Abdullahi Adamu, National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and some governors including those of Borno, Babagana Zulum; Plateau, Simon Lalong; Zamfara, Bello Matawalle and David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, affirmed that Buhari had appraised the series of consultations held so far towards getting a widely-acceptable presidential standard bearer and said they were on the way towards winning their third straight victory since 2015.

Remarking on the outcome of the stakeholder meeting, President Buhari said: “I am optimistic that the outcome of this consultation with the National Advisory Council will in addition to sharpening our focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices and culture that already exists within the party system.

“In the course of these consultative processes, I have already met separately with the Progressive Governors and with all our eminent members who are aspiring to become the presidential flag bearer for our party during the 2023 elections.”

According to the president: “I am pleased to inform you that those meetings have been fruitful and indicative of a party that is prepared and marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the presidential polls.”

Prime Business Africa reports that the above statement by the president runs riot to a recent viral report where Buhari argued, he should be allowed to choose his own successor.

He had said that the party had successfully established internal policies that promoted continuity and smooth succession plans, even at the state and local government levels.

Buhari had argued: “I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023,” Buhari said in the two-page address.”