Close Ranks to Avoid Defeat in 2023, Buhari Tells APC Members

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday assessed the readiness of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general election with a call on members of the party to close ranks ahead of the polls billed for the first quarter of next year.
Speaking while receiving Katsina State APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dikko Radda and his running mate, Faruk Lawal Jobe, at his Daura residence, the president urged members of the party to unite and cooperate as a prerequisite for victory in the coming elections.
This is coming as the presidential candidate of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria from London, the United Kingdom, where he addressed the Chatham House, on his presidential ambition.
President Buhari said the party’s leaders need “to sit together,” to avoid divisions and ensure unity to avoid defeat in elections.
He said he received frequent reports on the ongoing campaigns in Katsina State and felt happy that so much hard work was being put into the exercise.
The president for the umpteenth time reiterated his determination to allow the reign of free, fair and credible elections in the country, adding that the outcomes in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states were testimonies of that resolution on his part.
He added that he felt honoured by the visit and wished the party a very good outcome in the contests.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the APC, Senator Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria from London, the United Kingdom, where he addressed the Chatham House, on his presidential ambition.
However, unlike his previous foreign trips, there were no airport ceremonies or photographs released to the public about his return from UK.
Though the former Lagos State governor returned at about 5am yesterday, his campaign team did not release any airport ceremonies or photos to the public.
The APC presidential campaign council had announced that Tinubu would be embarking on a trip to UK, US and two other countries to campaign from December 4.
According to his campaign team, the essence of the trip was for him to meet global leaders regarding his presidential aspiration.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the APC, Senator Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria from London, the United Kingdom, where he addressed the Chatham House, on his presidential ambition.
However, unlike his previous foreign trips, there were no airport ceremonies or photographs released to the public about his return from the UK.
Though the former Lagos State governor returned at about 5am Saturday, his campaign team did not release any airport ceremonies or photos to the public.
According to his campaign team, the essence of the trip he embarked on December 4, was for him to meet global leaders regarding his presidential aspiration.
Buhari Promises to Hand over Nigeria free of Insecurity
In another development, Buhari said he is ready to hand over Nigeria free of insecurity to the next administration.
Buhari made the promise Saturday at the 46th Convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, at Oduduwa Hall Amphitheatre of the University,  in Ile-Ife.
Represented by the Director, Academic Planning at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr. Biodun Saliu, the president reaffirmed his commitment to the security of lives and property.
“We remain firmly committed to the security of lives, property and investment across the country.
“This administration will continue to confront all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the land.
“I promise to hand over a Nigeria that is free of insecurity to the next administration,” the president said.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

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