President Muhammadu Buhari says the APC is on its way to winning its third straight victory since 2015..
He said this in Abuja at a meeting with members of the National Advisory Council of the APC, where appraised the series of consultations held so far towards getting a widely acceptable presidential standard bearer.
The President said the the meeting was convened to provide leadership and direction during the transition period, adding that the motive was to strengthen their unity to facilitate their focus on building upon their electoral fortunes.
He expressed optimism that the outcome of their consultation with the National Advisory Council would, in addition to sharpening their focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices and culture within the party system.
President Buhari said that in the course of the consultative processes, he had already met separately with the Progressive Governors and eminent members aspiring to become the Presidential flag bearer for the APC, stressing that the outcome was promising.
He said that in the circumstances, to prevent any post-convention acrimonies and reduce noticeable anxiety among members on the possible outcome of the process, the party leadership had recommended the intensification of consultation and consensus-building to reduce the number of aspirants.
The President said to further support the efforts of the party, he had admonished the aspirants to consult among themselves and with the party to actualise the objective of the recommendation by the leadership.
Buhari acknowledged that members of the National Advisory Council of the party had diverse interests, spheres of influence and expectations, saying however that they similarly possess the collective ability to ensure the party’s victory at the 2023 polls by strengthening the stability and unity of the party.
He appealed to them to reach out to their various spheres of influence to actively promote the spirit of consultation and consensus-building to produce a formidable flagbearer.
President Buhari assured in the interest of the nation and the party, he would lead the transition processes and on-going consultations, till a formidable flagbearer emerged.
Responding on behalf of the National Advisory Council members, former Internal Affairs Minister and Senator, retired Major General Mohammed Magoro, 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 great service he had rendered to the country, particularly in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure.
They were unanimous that with hardwork and a united front, the APC would win the presidential election billed for February next year, as well National Assembly, governorship, and State Assembly polls.
BELLO WAKILI
