President Muhammadu Buhari has advised the newly installed National Working Committee of the All Progressive to avoid allowing those he called “highest bidders” to clinch party tickets going into 2023 general elections.
This was just as he called on new NWC to ensure internal democracy.
He asked the new NWC members to promote internal democracy and equal opportunities and ensure that party primaries are not influenced by “highest bidders” going into the 2023 elections.
The President, going forward, said it is crucial to note that the convention has come at a time that the party is facing elections adding that it would be good to ensure all members of the party are carried along.
Speaking at the convention before a mammoth crowd of party faithful, the President said he needed to wield the big stick to bring all dissenting voices within the party together.
He said , “This Convention is coming at a crucial time when we prepare for another round of a general election. Therefore, the need to remain strong and united for the Party to exploit the rich and abundant potentials at its disposal cannot be overemphasized. We appreciate the right to hold different opinions and aspirations, however, such differences must not be to the detriment of the Party.”
Calling for support for the new working committee, he said the NWC must avoid sentiments that are capable of causing disaffection and disunity.
“For those aspiring for party and public offices, your failure to realize such aspirations for Party offices or to fly the Party’s flag, should not be a basis for a campaign of calumny against the party. We should have the spirit of sportsmanship and always support the party to succeed.”
Buhari explained why he had to intervene in the leadership tussle within the party saying that though such tussles are not unexpected in any political environment.