The meeting of the APC stakeholders and Buhari has failed to select a consensus candidate for the presidential position. Buhari had earlier requested the aspirants on Saturday to come together and select a good candidate that would fly the party’s flag high and also be loyal to the country.
In this second meeting with the stakeholders, Buhari enjoins all members to make sure that the unity and cohesion of the party were sustained. He also commented on the recommendations of the screening committee to select a consensus candidate through intensified consultations enjoining the members to come together and select a candidate that would help the party reduce the number of aspirants and reduce the anxiety of party members.
“Similarly, I wish to remind you that our choice of flag bearer must be formidable, appealing to the electorate across the board, and should command such ability to unify the country and the capacity to address our critical challenges.” He added
The former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, The Governor of jigawa state Abubakar Badaru and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, replied to the president on behalf of the aspirants, thanking him for his leadership and guidance, and making a pledge that they would surely consult the unity and strength of the party.
Earlier, 10 northern governors had signed a joint statement requesting for the presidential candidate to come from the south. They all agreed that it was the turn of the south to produce a president and in response to this, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State had stepped down from the presidential race.
The statement which was titled, ‘Statement by Northern States’ APC Governors and Political Leaders’, and dated June 4, 2022, was signed by ten northern governors including Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi). Former Governor Aliyu Wamakko signed on behalf of Sokoto State.
They also appealed to all northern aspirants to step down for the South to contest this position.
