President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the series of meetings done so far in order to choose a presidential standard-bearer for the ruling All Progressives Congress that is universally acceptable (APC)
Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, claimed Buhari addressed this at a meeting with members of the APC’s National Advisory Council on Sunday at State House, Abuja.
“We’re on our way to winning our third straight victory since 2015,” the president added.
The conference was called to provide leadership and direction throughout the transition phase, he said, with the goal of “strengthening our unity and focusing on improving our electoral fortunes.”
“I am optimistic that the outcome of this consultation with the National Advisory Council will in addition to sharpening our focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices and culture that already exists within the party system.
“In the course of these consultative processes, I have already met separately with the Progressive Governors and with all our eminent members who are aspiring to become the Presidential flag bearer for our party during the 2023 elections.
“I am pleased to inform you that those meetings have been fruitful and indicative of a party that is prepared and marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the presidential polls,” he said
“I underscored the important roles consensus building and consultation have played in the survival of successful political parties around the world, and our party should not be an exception,” Buhari said at the meeting with the governors and hopefuls.
“Recognizing the foregoing, therefore, I also emphasized the need to strengthen our unity, stabilize our internal cohesion and system as well as present a formidable Presidential candidate who has the ability to build a unified nation and the capacity to deal with our challenges.
“The party machinery has also screened all our aspirants to the office of the President and found that they consist of eminent personalities, rich in experience, capacity, commitment to service and accomplishment in life.
”This gives us a lot of confidence but it also comes with its challenges.”
In the circumstances, he said, the party leadership has advocated intensifying dialogue and consensus-building in order to avoid any post-convention acrimonies and to diminish noticeable worry among members over the likely outcome of the process.
According to the president, this will lower the number of candidates as the convention approaches, which begins on Monday.
He stated that in order to further support the party’s efforts, he had advised the hopefuls to consult among themselves and with the party, so that the leadership’s advice could be realised.
As members of the APC’s National Advisory Council, the president acknowledged that they all had different interests, zones of influence, and expectations.
“You similarly possess the collective ability to ensure our victory at the 2023 polls by strengthening the stability and unity of the party.
“My charge and appeal to all of you, therefore, is to reach out to your various spheres of influence to actively promote the spirit of consultation and consensus-building so that a formidable candidate for the 2023 Presidential elections would emerge from the convention.
“Our citizens do not expect less from us,” he said.
Buhari stated that he would manage the transition processes and ongoing dialogues “until we successfully choose our candidate for the 2023 presidential elections and record our third straight victory, thereafter, by God’s grace,” in the benefit of the country and the party.
Former Internal Affairs Minister and Senator, retired Maj-Gen. Mohammed Magoro, former Osun State Governor and first Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, thanked the President for the consultative meetings on behalf of the National Advisory Council (hitherto known as Board of Trustees) members.
They praised him for his outstanding contributions to the country, particularly in the fields of agriculture and infrastructure.
They were unified in their belief that the APC would win the presidential election in February 2023, as well as the National Assembly, governorship, and State Assembly elections, with hard effort and a united front.
