BY VICTOR BUORO – Working to take the heat away from his request that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors should oblige him space to choose a successor, President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday night tasked all the presidential aspirants to consult and present a formidable candidate before the party’s primaries slated to hold from Monday, June 6 to 8, 2022.
The President gave the charge at a meeting described by insiders as part of the ongoing consultative process aimed at ensuring a smooth and strategic emergence of an acceptable flag-bearer that will lead the party to a resounding victory in next year’s presidential polls.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the President is quoted as saying; “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.”
According to him, with his first-hand knowledge of the office of the President of the citizens, “I must salute your courage and your selfless spirit, in volunteering to serve in the highest office of the land.”
The President further said; “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.”
Explaining his consultations with key stakeholders, President Buhari said; “that would help the electoral fortunes of our party, beginning with the State Governors. This is the second in the series and I still look forward to meeting with party stakeholders. These steps are being taken to ensure that the unity and cohesion of the party are sustained and to provide direction.
“Amongst other 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.”
The President, who noted that the APC will on Monday, June 6, 2022, commence its national convention for delegates to pick one candidate that will fly its flag for the 2023 Presidential Election, said he was quite aware of the anxiety among party members on the likely outcome of the process.
He said; “Given these circumstances, I charge you 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.”
While assuring that the interest of the nation and the party remains paramount as he continues to provide effective leadership during the transition processes and ongoing consultations, the President said; “until we successfully make the choice on the candidate that will fly the flag of our party for the presidential elections and make the party stronger. I seek your support in this all-important responsibility.”
In his remarks earlier, the Party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu promised that all stakeholders of the party would be reached and carried along in the consultation process.
In their responses on behalf of the aspirants, 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, thanked the President for his leadership and guidance.
They also pledged to hold the consultations as counseled by the President “for the unity and strength of our party, the APC.”
