President Muhammadu Buhari invited all presidential aspirants on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform to work together on Saturday night.
According to reports, Buhari gave the order during a meeting at the presidential mansion in Abuja with all presidential aspirants.
He invited the candidates to meet and reach an agreement before the APC primary election on June 6 and 8, 2022.
The meeting, he said, was part of an ongoing consultative process aimed at guaranteeing a smooth and strategic emergence of a standard bearer who will lead the APC to a resounding victory in the 2018 presidential elections.
“After looking at this group of people and considering your long list of achievements in life, I’ve come to the conclusion that our party, the APC, is well-stocked with human resources, and that our country is blessed with capable leaders who can successfully steer the ship of state into the future,” President Buhari said.
“I must salute your courage and your unselfish attitude, in volunteering to serve in the highest office in the land,” Buhari said, citing his own knowledge of the responsibilities of the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the expectations of the population.
“Our party, the APC, has won two consecutive presidential elections in 2015, the first when we were in opposition and the second when I ran for re-election in 2019.” Unity of purpose, strategic alignment, consultation, fairness, determination, and effective leadership were used to achieve both processes. In both cases, national and party objectives trumped all other considerations in our deliberations and decisions.
“The General Elections of 2023 are rapidly approaching in a continually changing and complex global, regional, and national context. This necessitates that our party become more aware of the changing environment, respond to citizens’ desires, re-evaluate our approach, and enhance our internal mechanisms in order to maintain our electoral triumphs.
“I am delighted to see that, in recognition of the importance of all of these needs, the party has evolved over time various democratically acceptable methods and policies that promote dialogue, internal cohesiveness, and leadership in order to facilitate electoral successes.”
The President spoke about the meetings he had with stakeholders “who could boost our party’s election chances, starting with state governors.” This is the second in the series, and I’m still excited to meet with party representatives. These actions are being done to maintain the party’s unity and coherence while also providing direction.
I reminded the APC Governors, among other things, of the importance of the party proceeding to the 2023 Presidential elections with strength, unity of purpose, and the presentation of a flag bearer who will give Nigerians a sense of optimism and confidence while securing our party’s triumph. I’d want to remind all of you renowned candidates of the same thing.”
Buhari acknowledged that party members are concerned about the outcome of the procedure.
“In light of these circumstances, I implore you to appreciate the critical necessity of the party’s stability and unity, which cannot be overstated.”
“At the same time, I’d want to remind you that our flag bearer must be formidable, appealing to all segments of the voters, and possessing the ability to unite the country as well as the competence to confront our major concerns.”
“The party apparatus has screened and found all contestants to be perfectly qualified ahead of the Convention. Recognizing this, the Screening Committee has advised, among other things, that efforts to achieve agreement through consultation be stepped up.
“I urge all of you to have conversations among yourselves and with the party, without regard to your qualifications, in order to develop a consensus in a way that will assist the party minimize the number of hopefuls, present a formidable candidate, and reduce the worry of party members.”
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the party’s National Chairman, had previously stated that the consultation process would include all of the party’s stakeholders.
Former Governor of old Abia State and immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, responded on behalf of the aspirants, thanking the President for his leadership and guidance and promising to hold the consultations as advised “for the unity and strength of our party, the APC.”
