President Muhammadu Buhari has solicited the support of the the governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as he picks the person who will succeed him in the next year’s elections.
“As we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.”
The President spoke today, May 31 at a special meeting he had with the APC governors and other stakeholders at the Presidential villa, Abuja.
Buhari reminded the governors that APC had successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels.
“For example, first term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election.
“Similarly, second term Governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.”
President Buhari stressed that the national Convention of the part coming up shortly is a very significant process and that its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.
According to the President, the Party has remained strong and united, saying: “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 at state levels.
“In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the Party has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels. For example, first term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election.”
He appealed to the governors and stakeholders to allow their collective interests to converge and to remain on the changing dynamics of the nation’s environment, the expectations of the citizens and the global community. “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.”
He assured them that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention.
“This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger.”
Buhari recalled that APC came to power at the center in 2015 through a cohesive machinery, notwithstanding its status as the opposition party.
“Similarly, in 2019, it was returned to power under my leadership, because of the dividends of democracy delivered to Nigerians irrespective of their political leanings.
“The Party has since grown in strength and capacity to govern. The key to both electoral successes is the ability of the party to hold consultations and for its members to put the nation above other interests.”
He reminded the stakeholders 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.”
