President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday, at the venue of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) National Convention, cautioned some of the aspirants who may not emerge successful to take their defeat in good fate.
Speaking at the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the convention, the President said losing any elective seat should not serve as the basis for discrediting the party or engaging in a campaign of calumny against the party; he called on members of the APC to remain united and strong and also support the incoming leadership of the party.
According to him, “This Convention is coming at a crucial time when we prepare for another round of a general election. Therefore, the need to remain strong and united for the Party to exploit the rich and abundant potentials at its disposal cannot be over-emphasised. We appreciate the right to hold different opinions and aspirations; however, such differences must not be to the detriment of the Party.
“For those aspiring for party and public offices, your failure to realise such aspirations for Party offices or to fly the Party’s flag, should not be a basis for a campaign of calumny against the Party. We should have the spirit of sportsmanship and always support the Party to succeed”, he added.
President Buhari enjoined the new NWC members to promote internal democracy and equal opportunities and ensure that party primaries are not influenced by ‘highest bidders’ going into the 2023 elections.
He commended the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, (CECPC), for steering the ship of the party thus far, which includes: reconciling aggrieved party members, purchasing a new party secretariat and launching an aggressive membership drive that saw three governors defecting into the APC, among others.
The President, who adduced reasons for his recent intervention in the affairs of the party, assured that it was not intended to muzzle dissenting voices.
President Buhari called on all politicians and the electorate to abide by the new Electoral Act “to promote the process of election, enhance transparency, fill in existing gaps and add value to Nigeria’s democracy for our democracy to thrive”.
