The All Progressives Congress (APC) has named Ahmad Lawan, the Senate President, as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, according to Abdullahi Adamu, the party’s national chairman.
At a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja, Adamu announced Lawan’s selection.
According to sources, some members of the NWC objected to the move and demanded that other presidential aspirants such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Engr. David Umahi be allowed to run in the primary election at tomorrow’s convention in Eagle Square, Abuja.
Adamu’s endorsement of Lawan as a consensus candidate goes against the wishes of 11 APC northern governors, who believe that power should be transferred to the south after President Muhammadu Buhari’s term ends.
Adamu told the NWC that he chose Lawan after consulting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some APC northern governors rushed to Aso Villa in response to the move, where they are currently meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The gathering takes place one day before the start of the party’s convention, which will elect the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.
Although President Buhari has maintained his position on the consensus agreement, none of the 23 presidential candidates have reached an agreement.
The meeting with the APC governors from the North is his fourth attempt to ensure that the party presents a consensus candidate in order to avoid dissent at the convention’s conclusion.
Atiku Bagudu, chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Kebbi State, Simeon Lalong, Abubakar Baduru (Jigawa), and Babagana Zulum, chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and governor of Plateau State, are among the governors in attendance (Borno).
Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Bello Matawale (Zamfara), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Yahaya Inuwa (Gombe), Abubakar Bello (Niger), and Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State, are among the others.