#ElectionBuzzNig’23
President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is set to retain power through the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.
He made the declaration at a meeting held on Sunday night at the State House, Abuja, with members of the National Advisory Council of APC as part of consultations towards a formidable presidential candidate for the party.
President Buhari, who appraised the series of consultations held so far towards getting a widely acceptable presidential standard-bearer, concluded that:
“We are on the way towards winning our third straight victory since 2015.”
Leadership and Direction
He said Sunday’s meeting was convened to provide leadership and direction during the transition period. The motive was “to strengthen our unity and focus on building upon our electoral fortunes.”
He added: “I am optimistic that the outcome of this consultation with the National Advisory Council will, besides sharpening our focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices, and culture that already exists within the party system.
“In 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 prepared party marching towards a third straight victory since 2015 at the presidential polls.”
Consensus
President Buhari, recalling the meeting with the Governors and the aspirants, stated, “I underscored the crucial roles consensus building and consultation have played in the survival of successful political parties around the world. Our party should not be an exception.
“Recognising the foregoing, therefore, I also emphasised the need to strengthen our unity, stabilise our internal cohesion system and present a formidable Presidential candidate who can 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 comprise 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.”
He said that in the circumstances, to prevent any post-convention acrimonies and also reduce noticeable anxiety among members on the outcome of the process, the party leadership has recommended the intensification of consultation and consensus-building to reduce the number of aspirants as it approaches the convention, which begins Monday, June 6, 2022.
The President said to support the party’s efforts further; he has admonished the aspirants to consult among themselves and with the party so that they would actualise the objective of the recommendation by the leadership.
Collective Ability
And as members of the National Advisory Council of the APC, the President says he recognises that they all have diverse interests, spheres 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 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.”
President Buhari assured the Governors and the aspirants that in the nation’s interest and the party, he would lead the transition processes and ongoing consultations “till we successfully choose our candidate for the 2023 presidential elections and record our third straight victory, thereafter, by God’s grace.”
Responding on behalf of the National Advisory Council (hitherto known as Board of Trustees) members, former Internal Affairs Minister and Senator, retired Major General Mohammed Magodo, 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, and commended him for the excellent service he had rendered to the country, particularly in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure.
They unanimously agreed that with hard work and a united front, the APC would win the presidential election billed for February next year and the National Assembly, governorship, and State Assembly polls.
Suzan O.
