APC Lost Many States In 2019 To Prove Our Tolerance – President Buhari

…Says defected governors will be respected by their people

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday at State House, Abuja, said that his party, the All progressives Congress (APC) lost many states during the last election, saying that it was unusual for a ruling party.

He however said that the party did it to prove that its members are a tolerant group and wanted to demonstrate that they respect individuals.

Buhari, who stated these when he received the Governors of Cross River and Zamfara States, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, commended the two governors for having the courage to defect to the APC.

The new APC members, Governors Ben Ayade and Bello Matawalle, were accompanied to the event by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu, who is Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, and Governor Muhammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State.

President Buhari handed the flags of the party to the two Governors, raised their hands aloft, and declared; “This is one of the happiest times for us in this party. For you to have the courage to leave your constituencies speak a lot. I wish Nigerians will reflect about it.

While congratulating the duo for leaving their constituencies for the ruling APC, Buhari said; “We emphasized that we respect our people. That was why we insisted on free and fair elections. Leaders should show honesty and respect for their followers.”

The President added that the coming of the two Governors to APC was very important to the party, adding; “To be principled and identify your objectives is a great quality that should endear us to our people. Your people will respect you more for having the courage to come to APC at your own time. Nobody forced you, but you believe it is the best way to serve your people. I value your decision.”

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Mai Mala Buni said the Governors joined APC in appreciation of the good works the President was doing for the country, and also announced that ward, local government and state congresses of the party would start from July 31, 2021.

Buni explained that the congresses were shifted for one week, because the initial dates clashed with Sallah festivities.