Less than six days to the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), speculations regarding President Mohammadu Buhari’s successor may have ended as it has become obvious that the President has made his choice and only waiting to announce him in the coming days.
This follows Buhari’s statement while addressing a meeting of the Progressives Governors’ Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, since the choice of successors of the Governors are an established internal policy which rests on them, the governors should also oblige him to do same in his case.
He told the governors: “In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party and 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”.
But the President gave assurance that the consultation process would continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention scheduled for the 5th and 6th of June, 2022.
President Buhari at the meeting expressed delight that the APC under his leadership had grown in strength and capacity to govern, adding that the key to the electoral victories recorded in 2015 and 2019 stemmed from the ability of the party to hold consultations and for its members to put the nation above other interests.
“The transition 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, APC shall not be any different, more so as we are still implementing the blueprint for a more prosperous nation”, he said.
Buhari said such leadership is required so that the party would remain strong and united, as it would also improve the electoral fortunes and retain power at the center.
“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.
“As we approach the convention, I appeal to all of you 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. Our objective must be the victory of our party and our chjoice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections”, he said.
