—Asks Progressives Govs To Allow Him Pick His Successor
Attah Ede Makurdi
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, warned that he would henceforth, support stronger control on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in his last year at the helm, to ensure that it remains strong and united so that it can retain power comes 2023.
The President therefore, solicited the support of the Progressives govenors and other stakeholders in the party to allow him in picking his successor, who would fly the flag of the party at the 2023 Presidential Election.
President Buhari who stated this during his meeting with the governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, urged the Forum to align with the position of the party and ensure that the forthcoming convention to pick a presidential candidate, reflects the values and virtues of the party.
He noted that he recognized the compelling need to provide stronger leadership to the party, during the transition process, and to ensure that it happens in an orderly manner.
According to him, “In keeping with the established internal policies of the party, and as we approach the convention in a few days, I, therefore, 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.”
“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 centre, holds the great majority in various legislative chambers, and also gains additional number of states.
“In a few days, the party will be holding its convention, during which primaries would take place, to pick the Presidential Flag Bearer for the 2023 General Elections. 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 said
He appealed to all the governors, “to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens and the global community. Our objective must be the victory of our party, and our choice of the candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses, a sense of victory and confidence, even before the elections.”
While assuring that the consultation process will continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders are brought on board, right through to the convention, he stressed that it would also ensure that any anxiety, occasioned by different factors, is effectively brought under control, “and that our party emerges stronger.”
He said that the APC’s focus was to remain on the changing dynamics of the nation’s political environment, and the expectations of the citizens and the global community, even as he emphasized the need for internal cohesion and a strong leadership brand, for the party to achieve its electoral objectives.
