• Stakeholders applaud President’s position
• Nigerians celebrate imminent emergence of Osinbajo as APC candidate
By Oluwafemi Popoola
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, under the aegis of the Progressive Governors Forum (PSG) on Tuesday, held a closed-door meeting in Abuja following the President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance on his desire to unveil his successor ahead of the party’s Convention coming up on June 6, 2022.
The APC Governors’ meeting which was held at Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, at T. Y. Danjuma area, in Asokoro, Abuja, immediately after they met with President Buhari, was presided over by Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, as the Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF).
Recall that, in a few days, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be holding its Convention during which the presidential primaries election will take place to pick the APC Presidential standard-bearer for the 2023 General Elections.
An impeccable source who was in the know of the issues discussed at the meeting said, they were in accordance with the President’s demands, a very important option he stated was for the party to zero in on its objective, which must be the victory of APC in the 2023 General Elections.
Following this directive, at the APC Governors’ meeting, the President’s directive, as reliably gathered was the main issue discussed, an and having considered President Buhari’s demand which was that the APC’s “choice of a candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections,” “this person as discussed in their meeting was found to be Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,” the source said.
In his earlier meeting with the governors, President Muhammadu Buhari, had, solicited their support in establishing a succession plan that will enable him to select the party’s presidential candidate.
This, the President premised on the fact that, in the same, way, the governors who have done well in their first term would be allowed to freely seek re-election, while those who are completing their second term credibly would be allowed to choose their successor.
President Buhari said: “In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the Party has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels. For example, first term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election. Similarly, second term Governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.”
It was a result of this blanket advantage given to governors to choose their successor, that President Buhari, solicited the support of the governors to also allow him to choose his preferred successor.
“In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, 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 for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023,” the President said.
Also in that same meeting with governors, the President gave some important qualities that must be found in the candidate which will help the party coast to victory at the 2023 polls, and specifically, he said: “Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of a candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.”
Immediately after the President concluded his meeting with the APC governors, and his prepared speech circulated widely, political stakeholders have applauded the President’s position for a smooth transition of power, while a teeming mass of Nigerians who engaged in the streets, neighbourhood, offices and marketplace discussions, which also extended to social media began to excitedly jubilate as they narrowed the consensus choice of President Buhari to Vice President Osinbajo, whom the majority of commentators said fit into the President’s graphical description of a preferred candidate in his speech.
Since the speech circulation went viral, within the fold of the supporters of Prof Osinbajo, SAN, and among the generality of Nigerians, there have been talks and indications from every quarter that the President had made up his mind about his deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who is a leading presidential aspirant in the ruling party, as his preferred candidate.
Likewise, on The Daily Leaks checks, some impeccable sources in the Villa have said that the President’s use of the word ‘continuity’ suggests that he may settle for his deputy, Vice President Osinbajo, going by the bond and collegiality that exist between the two leaders.
One of the main factors the President was said to be rooting for his Vice President is that Prof Osinbajo must have won the trust and confidence of his boss at a time the President was away on medical leave in London, the United Kingdom,
One striking thing then was how Osinbajo as the Acting President diligently and loyally superintended over the country, and still kept a tab on the President, while keeping him in the know with the affairs of the country.
ALSO READ: 2023: In line with APC’s continuity policy, I’ll pick my successor — Buhari
Also, Osinbajo is believed to be enjoying a good relationship with the APC governors having chaired the National Economic Council (NEC) with them for the past seven years as the vice president.
This can further be confirmed by the statements made immediately after the President’s meeting at the Villa, by the current Nassarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, who is the first Northern leader to publicly canvass for the candidature of Prof Osinbajo, while he was seen granting an interview at Channels T.V., where said he hasn’t changed his mind concerning his stance for the VP as the most sellable product in the ranks of APC.
He described Prof Osinbajo as a credible leader and a formidable administrator, and a solution provider, who was always stable even in crises.
When asked who was the consensus candidate for the President, by Seun Okinbaloyo on his Channels TV programme, “Politics Today,” the Nassarawa State governor said, “the President said that our candidate to be selected must be somebody acceptable to Nigerians, somebody, who understands what APC is all about, what APC is after, somebody that will go to every part of the country and be accepted,” and that person succinctly described has been unveiled by projections to be Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Below is the full text of President Buhari’s speech during his meeting with APC governors:
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, TO THE PROGRESSIVE GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE CONSULTATIVE MEETING HELD AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA, ON TUESDAY, 31ST MAY, 2022
PROTOCOLS
I am delighted to address this gathering of the Progressive Governors’ Forum as part of the consultative processes that have always strengthened the internal dynamics of our Party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
2. You will all recall that APC came to power at the center in 2015 through a cohesive machinery, notwithstanding its status as the opposition party. Similarly, in 2019, it was returned to power under my leadership, because of the dividends of democracy delivered to Nigerians irrespective of their political leanings.
3. The Party has since grown in strength and capacity to govern. The key to both electoral successes is the ability of the party to hold consultations and for its members to put the nation above other interests.
4. The transition 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 center, hold the great majority in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states at state levels.
7. In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the Party has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels. For example, first term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election. Similarly, second term Governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.
8. 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.
9. As we approach the Convention, I appeal to all of you 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 and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.
10. In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, 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 for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
11. I wish to assure you that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention. This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger.
12. I thank you all for listening. God bless you all. God bless our Party, the APC and God bless our nation, Nigeria.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, TO THE PROGRESSIVE GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE CONSULTATIVE MEETING HELD AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA, ON TUESDAY, 31ST MAY, 2022
PROTOCOLS
I am delighted to address this gathering of the Progressive Governors’ Forum as part of the consultative processes that have always strengthened the internal dynamics of our Party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
2. You will all recall that APC came to power at the center in 2015 through a cohesive machinery, notwithstanding its status as the opposition party. Similarly, in 2019, it was returned to power under my leadership, because of the dividends of democracy delivered to Nigerians irrespective of their political leanings.
3. The Party has since grown in strength and capacity to govern. The key to both electoral successes is the ability of the party to hold consultations and for its members to put the nation above other interests.
4. The transition 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 center, hold the great majority in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states at state levels.
7. In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the Party has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels. For example, first term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election. Similarly, second term Governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.
8. 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.
9. As we approach the Convention, I appeal to all of you 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 and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.
10. In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, 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 for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
11. I wish to assure you that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention. This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger.
12. I thank you all for listening. God bless you all. God bless our Party, the APC and God bless our nation, Nigeria.
