President Muhammadu Buhari met with all presidential contenders on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform at State House, Abuja, on Saturday night, asking them to have talks and come up with a formidable candidate before the party’s primary election on June 6-8, 2022.
According to his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, the meeting was a continuation of the ongoing consultation process aimed at assuring 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 commend your courage and your unselfish attitude in offering to serve in the highest office of the land,” he said, citing his firsthand knowledge of the duties of the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the expectations of the citizenry.
“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.
“Among other things, I reminded the APC Governors 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 hope and confidence while assuring our party’s victory,” he said. I’d want to remind all of you renowned candidates of the same thing.”
President Buhari stated the APC would have its national convention on Monday, June 6, 2022, during which delegates will choose one candidate to represent the party in the 2023 Presidential Election. He acknowledged that party members are concerned about the outcome of the process.
“In light of these circumstances, I implore you to appreciate the critical necessity of the party’s stability and unity, which cannot be overstated.”
“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.
“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.”
“Until we successfully make the choice on the candidate who will fly the flag of our party for the presidential elections and make the party stronger,” the President promised, “until we successfully make the choice on the candidate who will fly the flag of our party for the presidential elections and make the party stronger.” In this critical role, I ask for your assistance.”
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.”
