2023: Buhari Warns APC Against Lawlessness, Imposition of Unpopular Candidates
POLITICS DIGEST- President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against imposing those he referred to as “unpopular candidates” who are incapable of winning elections.
Speaking at the 11th NEC meeting of the APC, on Wednesday, the President said such actions in the past had forced out stronger aspirants who found acceptance in opposition parties.
The president also pleaded with all those in courts to withdraw their cases and make use of internal party mechanisms.
He said: “I enjoin you all to follow due process in all the party processes and more importantly to develop more mechanisms against corruption. I call on all party members to abide by all extant laws, rules, and regulations and to leaders of our party to avoid imposition of candidates that cannot win popular elections.
“This dictatorial behaviour cost us many strategic seats in the past. In the recent past, this led to some of our strong members, unfortunately, opting to go elsewhere because of the unfairly oppressive behaviour of party leaders at the state level.
“I must caution strongly against any tendency towards developing cliques, infighting within the party. We want to win well, not succumb to factions on account of personal acerbities and the desire to retain control at all costs. That surely is the road to winning.
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“I enjoin you all to recognise the place of due process in all our tasks as managers of the party. We must develop party in-built mechanisms against corruption. Our success in 2023 will depend more on our capacity to respect our own extant rules and regulations.
“Now that NEC has vested its powers in NWC for the time being, as requested, and in compliance with the party’s constitution in the overall interest of the Party, I want to assure Mr Chairman and the entire NWC members of my full support.
“I am constrained to go out of context so that the National Working Committee will be more encouraged that they should please go by this, the constitution of the party. Please, it is very important because how did the APC come about? The PDP thought they were going to be in power for a long time. We recognised that, when I say we ANPP, ACN, APGA, CPC and another party (DPP), we formed committees and we gave the committees terms of reference to go and discuss how we could wrestle power from PDP.
“They were not to take decisions, but they will make recommendations to their respective parties. PDP said that would not be possible and when we decided to come together, that is the very importance of coming together, before they realised it, we had removed them from power. So, it is very important and the National Working Committee, it is your job now; to keep the party together.
“If you have evidence of any governor, or myself, not doing very well, send your leadership to discuss the issue so that we can continue to move our country forward. There is no way, with the meagre resources we have, with the time limitations we have, to develop differences among ourselves, we have no time for that.”
The meeting was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other critical stakeholders who are members of the NEC
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