By Chesa Chesa
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja urged leaders and members of All Progressives Congress (APC) to channel their energies into improving fortunes of the party in the forthcoming elections, and avoid squabbling that easily distract and create disharmony.
Receiving APC National Assembly leadership at the State House, the President reminded members of the proximity of the election dates set by thr Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), admonishing that positions should be harmonized with a bigger picture of winning elections and providing good governance.
“As you all know, the National Convention of our party, which we have committed to, is holding on the 26th March, 2022. And we cannot afford to do anything that will jeopardize the chances of the party in the 2023 General Elections.
“The limited time frame of the INEC time table does not permit us any room for delay or further squabbling. We must therefore in the light of this reality consistently keep our eyes on the ball and refuse any distraction.
“A critical segment of our national democratic process is the National Assembly. Being representatives of our people from all over the country, the National Assembly especially the 9th Assembly has exhibited commitment to a peaceful democratic process in its conduct and utmost maturity in its relationship with other arms of government. I commend you, the leadership for this success.
“Distinguished Senators and Honorable Members, we have an obligation to conduct the upcoming convention in a manner that not only fortifies the unity of our party but also improves the prospects of our electoral fortunes in the 2023 general elections. You have an important role to play in ensuring that this happens,’’ he said.
President Buhari told the lawmakers that a zoning template was produced and adopted by the party after wide consultations in order to ensure that the leadership was reflective of the diversity in unity while representing various dynamic interests.
“It is imperative that we adhere to that template,’’ he noted, adding: “The time available to us is limited and I therefore enjoin you to collaborate with the various stakeholders within and outside your respective states and zones to agree to work together and harmoniously in electing into the allotted positions appropriately, as stipulated in the provided template.
“This will not only produce a smooth process and limit friction but will enhance the image of the party positively and strengthen our over-all position of dominance in the political space.’’
The President said he met with the governors and the party national chairmanship aspirants the day before, Wednesday, to reiterate the need to go into the convention with a united front.
“It is the same reason why I invited you today,’’ he said, “We should all do our part to ensure the success of this convention. This will fortify us for the campaigns ahead of us.’’
The APC lawmakers were led to the meeting by the Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawal and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Fielding questions after, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan said notwithstanding the decision of the party hierarchy to opt for the emergence candidates via consensus during its convention on Saturday, the party would not bar any member from contesting for any position.
Senator Lawan spoke following concerns over why the party allowed candidates to spend money to secure application forms to contest the various positions during the event slated for Saturday.
Lawan said the party has resolved to work towards the emergence of consensus candidates to ensure a rancor-free convention. Lawan, however, noted that democracy was an all comers affair, therefore, members were free to exercise their rights.
“On the issue of why allow other people to buy forms, I think democracy does not prevent anybody from buying forms, what democracy does is to provide opportunity for everyone having some guiding principles.
“If a position is zoned, until a consensus is reached, everybody who thinks he or she has something to offer can go and buy the form and also throw his or her hat in the ring.
“I think that question shouldn’t be put to us because we’re not the party. But because you asked and we are in your territory we’ll make some effort to say something to it.
“The essence of this engagements is for the party to achieve consensus, and consensus is a process. It doesn’t just happen like that. So, I believe that before we go into the convention square on Saturday, by the grace of God, we would have a lot of consensus reached and maybe the sort of document that we call or refer to as unity list, that is bringing all the agreed positions where consensus have been achieved in the various sections or geopolitical zones of the country”, he stated.
Lawan said the meeting of the Principal officers of the party at the behest of President Muhammadu Buhari, is also to ensure a rancour free convention as well as remain focused in delivering development projects to the people.
He explained that the President, during their closed door session, emphasized the need for party members to be united ahead of the exercise, adding that it was a very important convention for the party.
Continuing, Lawan said: “This is not what we’re used to in the legislature. But now that we are confronted with this question of what we discussed with Mr. President. Mr. President, our leader of the party, the All Progressives, Congress in the country, and beyond, invited the principal officers of the APC to hold today’s meeting with us.
“Mr. President emphasized the need for us, in the APC to be united, always act as a family, to ensure that we remain focused. We have the leadership of Nigeria today at the national level and of course, we have many states, about 22 states, under the leadership of the APC. We have 22 states and then control of the federal government that requires that APC as a political party remains very focus, energetic, and purposeful, as it has always been, and ensure that we maintain the trajectory of development for our country. Because that is trust Nigerians gave us in 2015 and renewed that, in 2019.
“Mr. President also emphasized the need for us to ensure that we have a successful convention on the 26th of this month, March. This convention, by way of emphasis is a very important convention for us in the APC, and by the grace of God, through our processes and procedures, at different levels of the party, the convention would be a very successful one and very peaceful one.
“We hope that would have achieved so much consensus in selecting and electing the officers for this party so that when we go into the convention, most of the officers would be for affirmation or confirmation.”
Other APC principal officers on the delegation were Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Senator Abdullahi Yahaya, Senate Leader; Ajayi Boroffice Deputy Senate Leader; Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu; Deputy Chief Whip, Sabi Abdullahi;
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase; Alhassan Ado Dogowa – Majority Leader; Mohammed Tahir Monguno- Chief Whip, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Deputy Chief Whip among others.
