President Muhammadu Buhari has called on all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unite strongly in order to face successfully the challenges ahead, especially the 2019 general election. The President stated this yesterday when he met with the National Caucus of the APC at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Buhari, who told members of the caucus that he was not unaware of criticisms from Nigerians about the slow style and pace of his government in delivering the dividend of democracy, said what was paramount was the unity of party in facing bigger challenges ahead.
Buhari explained that the appointment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu reconciliation committee was targeted at achieving the desired peace and harmony that would guarantee the needed success of the APC in the future.
He said: “I now turn to the party differences in various states. To this end, I have appointed a committee, headed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a leader of the Party, to reconcile differences in various states.
“We hope the committee will be given maximum support and cooperation to enable it to satisfactorily carry out its work and get the party united in purpose and in shape for the battles ahead.
“I am very much aware of opinions and criticisms about the pace of government. In particular, the delay in appointments to boards of parastatals. Many boards have not been inaugurated so far.”
The President explained that now that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come out with the timetable for elections in 2019, the party should prepare itself for congresses at Wards, Local Governments, states and the Centre.
He said: “I now turn to the party differences in various states. To this end, I have appointed a committee, headed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a leader of the Party, to reconcile differences in various states.
“We hope the committee will be given maximum support and cooperation to enable it to satisfactorily carry out its work and get the party united in purpose and in shape for the battles ahead.
“I am very much aware of opinions and criticisms about the pace of government. In particular, the delay in appointments to boards of parastatals. Many boards have not been inaugurated so far.”
The President explained that now that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come out with the timetable for elections in 2019, the party should prepare itself for congresses at Wards, Local Governments, states and the Centre.
“We should strictly follow the constitution of the party in undertaking these party elections. We should ensure internal democracy and avoid short cuts and illegal maneuvers which have characterized the opposition party with the consequences that they are now divided.
“The APC has a history of conducting free and fair primaries whenever consensus about any candidacy is not reached. Regardless of the outcomes of the primary processes, it is imperative that we all work together to ensure the victory of our party,” the President added. In his remarks, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, said that there were tough times ahead of the party which its members must brace up to meet.
Oyegun explained that he was therefore in support of the reconciliation committee set up by President Buhari that would ensure a more coordinated and united approach to achieving better results.
“I therefore fully support the Asiwaju Peace Committee constituted by the President to reconcile all aggrieved groups within the party, and I encourage all of us to support the committee. The success of this committee will provide great impetus to the realization of victory for the party in the forthcoming general elections.”
Notable among personalities present at the meeting were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; , state governors, members of National Working Committee, members of the National Assembly, members of National Executive Council, former governors and ministers among others. Senate President Bukola Saraki was conspicuously absent at the meeting.
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