President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress to build consensus and present a formidable consensus candidate.
The President gave the directive during a meeting with the aspirants at the presidential villa, Abuja on Saturday night.
A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina quoted him as saying that the meeting was part of the process of consultation “aimed at ensuring a smooth and strategic emergence of a standard bearer, who will lead the APC to a resounding victory in the upcoming presidential polls.”
“Looking at this assemblage of personalities and considering your rich pedigree of accomplishments in life, I have come to the conclusion that our party, the APC, is rich in human resources and also that our nation is blessed with capable people that can successfully steer the ship of state into the future,” President Buhari said.
The President commended the aspirants for the courage to volunteer to serve in the highest capacity in the land in spite of their awareness of the demands of the office.
“I must salute your courage and your selfless spirit, in volunteering to serve in the highest office of the land.”
“Our party, the APC, has won two successive presidential elections in 2015, first when we were in the opposition and in 2019 when I sought re-election. Both processes were achieved through unity of purpose, strategic alignment, consultation, fairness, determination and effective leadership. In both instances, national and party interests were overriding factors in our deliberations and decision-making.
“The 2023 General Elections are fast approaching in a global, regional and national environment that is constantly changing and challenging. This demands that our party should become more aware of the changing environment, be responsive to the yearnings of our citizens, re-evaluate our strategy and strengthen our internal mechanism so that we would sustain the electoral successes.
“I am pleased to note that the party, recognizing the significance of all these demands, has over time developed several democratically acceptable processes and policies, that promote consultation, internal cohesion and leadership to facilitate victories at the polls…
“Amongst others things, I reminded the APC Governors of the need for the party to proceed to the 2023 Presidential elections with strength, unity of purpose and to present a flag bearer who will give Nigerians a sense of hope and confidence, while ensuring victory for our party. I extend a similar reminder to all of you distinguished aspirants.” He said
The President said that he was aware of the anxiety in the APC over who would be nominated to fly the party’s flag and urged Then to “recognize the importance of the stability and unity of the party, which cannot be overemphasized.”
“Similarly, I wish to remind you that our choice of flag bearer must be formidable, appealing to the electorate across the board and should command such ability to unify the country and capacity to address our critical challenges.
“Ahead of the Convention, the party machinery has screened and found all aspirants eminently qualified. Recognizing this fact, the Screening Committee has, amongst others, recommended that consensus building through consultation, be intensified.
“Without prejudice to your qualifications, I urge all of you to hold consultations amongst yourselves and with the party, with a view to building a consensus in a manner that would help the party reduce the number of aspirants, bring up a formidable candidate and scale down the anxiety of party members.”
In his speech, National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu promised that all stakeholders of the party would be reached in the consultation process.