President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, appealed to the governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress to give him the free hand to pick his successor in office.
Buhari, however, solicits for their support in achieving the arduous task.
Already, APC has fixed its presidential primaries for June 6, 7 and 8.
President Buhari spoke ahead of the convention while hosting governors elected on the platform of the ruling party at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, among other party chieftains attended the meeting.
In his speech at the meeting, the President enjoined the APC governors to ensure that the forthcoming convention to pick a presidential candidate reflects all the values and virtues of the party.
He urged them “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.”
Buhari assured the governors that the consultation process will continue in order to ensure that ‘all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention.”
He added that the consultation would also ensure that any anxiety caused by different factors were “effectively” brought under control, “and that our party emerges stronger.”
The President expressed his commitment to providing stronger leadership to the party in order to ensure that it remains strong, united and also retains the nation’s presidency, controls the various legislative chambers and win in more states.
According to him, “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 centre, hold the great majority in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states.
“In keeping with the established internal policies of the party and as we approach the convention in a few days, 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.
“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.”
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement on the meeting, quoted Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, who is also Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, as saying that 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.”
Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, and all the APC governors with the exception of Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by his deputy, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, attended the meeting with President Buhari.
