By Marcus Ikechukwu
President Muhammadu Buhari may have given a subtle warning and guidelines to governors and stakeholders of the ruling All Progressive Congress ahead of the forthcoming primary election slated for June 6 to 8.
In plain terms, Buhari said a candidate that would stand as flagbearer of the party must be one that would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.
Buhari’s message came during a brief meeting with the governors at the Presidential Villa Abuja, shortly before he departed for Spain on a state visit.
He also charged the governors to ensure that the forthcoming convention meant to pick a presidential candidate must reflect all the values and virtues of the party.
The meeting which had in attendance 22 Governors and the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, is coming shortly after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) picked its flagbearer, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the weekend in Abuja.
“Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections,”the President told participants at the meeting.
According to Buhari, “The processes for the 2023 General Elections have commenced in earnest and I note that the most successful political parties globally have always relied on their internal cohesion and a strong leadership brand to achieve bigger electoral fortunes. Our party, the APC, shall not be any different, more so as we are still implementing the blueprint for a more prosperous nation.
“As I begin the final year of my second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the party, I recognize the compelling need for me to provide stronger leadership to the party under this transition process and to ensure that it happens in an orderly manner.
“Such leadership is required so that the party remains strong and united. It is also needed to improve our electoral fortunes by ensuring that it retains power at the center, hold the great majority in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states.
“In a few days, the party will be holding its Convention during which primaries would take place to pick the Presidential Flag Bearer for the 2023 General Elections. This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.”
Buhari made an appeal to all the Governors “to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens and the global community”.
He assured that the consultation process will continue, to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention, stressing that it would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control, “and that our party emerges stronger.”
Speaking on behalf of the States’ helmsmen, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, and Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum said the party must build on successes of its recent elective convention, and the primaries conducted so far, “ and come up with a candidate who will walk in the footsteps of patriotism and love for the country, which Mr President has shown.”
“We will support Mr President to have a very successful convention,” he pledged.
Recall that the emergence of the PDP presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have unsettled the APC, even as the John Odigie Oyegun led screening committee carries out its screening exercise.
Inside sources within the Presidency said in view of the PDP convention, the APC stakeholders have been realigning to present a formidable candidate that would match Atiku in all ramifications.
