President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday in Abuja, pleaded with aggrieved senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure the partys majority control in the Senate is not threatened.
The Presidents call comes on the heels of reports that no fewer than 22 APC senators have concluded plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP), and others over grievances arising from the just concluded party primaries.
Buhari, in an audience with some APC senators on the outcome of the party primaries and its implications, noted that complaints were received by some members, and machinery had been put in place by the National Working Committee to address their various concerns.
He urged party members to exercise restraint and continue to demonstrate commitment to the ideals, while the leadership continues to build and develop the APC and the country.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari assured that the leadership of the APC, will sustain the hearing and healing process that it started to ensure fairness, justice and oneness before the 2023 general elections.
President Buhari told the APC senators that the strength and victory of the party in the election will depend on the unity of members and the ability to prevent injustices or heal them, perceived or real.
The President assured that justice shall prevail, aggrieved members shall be assuaged and the interest of the party and the nation shall be protected.
President Buhari thanked the senators for suggesting a meeting on the issues, which include the future of the party and pursuing solutions to the challenges thrown up by the recent election related activities, particularly, the primaries.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen Orji Uzor Kalu, said at least 22 senators and members of the party were unhappy with the outcome of the primaries in their states, noting that they felt disenfranchised by the process.
He said the legislators had made sacrifices for the growth of the party and democracy in the country, asking for the Presidents kind intervention.
