President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmed Lawan, during his speech at the APC national convention in Abuja declared that Buhari would continue to provide leadership to the APC beyond 2023 after his exit from office.
According to him, Buhari’s ability to sustain unity within the party against all odds positioned him favorably as the “compass” needed to give direction to the party at all times.
Lawan said: “Your Excellency, Mr. President, we can compare favorably well with any other party across the world. This is because you have provided the leadership that we need.
“Let me be explicit, you will not be on the ballot in 2023, but you will remain the leading light and moral compass of APC even after your tenure finishes.
“And, therefore, Mr. President, I’m sorry, you will have little rest because we will never allow you to go away.”
Lawan described the National Convention as a strong statement by the APC attesting to its ability to provide leadership for the country and strengthen unity amongst members within its fold.
Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila expressed the optimism that the best days of the ruling APC are still in the future.
He said that the success of the convention has triumphed over all cynicism and apathy.
He urged party members to set aside personal interests and ambitions to work together.
On his part, the outgoing Chairman of the CECPC of the ruling APC and Yobe State Governor, Buni, has said that with a 41 million membership base, APC will remain in power beyond 2023.
Buni stated this while giving his speech as the interim chairman of the party at the Eagle Square venue of yesterday’s national convention of the party in Abuja.
According to him, his leadership helped in rescuing the party from collapse and improved its fortune.
“We have collectively rescued the party and improved its fortune. President Buhari’s leadership style helped in building the party.
“We are also grateful for the support of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, National Executive Committee (NEC), the governors, and the National Assembly caucus. We enjoyed tremendous support from other party men,” Buni said.
According to the Yobe State governor, some of his achievements included visits to critical stakeholders that were in crisis, adding that it helped in resolving the crisis without some media publicity.
He added that for every extension of time for the committee, they brought new things to the party, including registration and revalidation of party membership, which helped members to register as legitimate members.
“I am glad to state with all sense of fulfillment that we registered new members and raised the membership from 11 million members to over 41 million members in the country.
“APC under the caretaker committee made history with the defection of three governors of Cross River, Ben Ayade; David Umahi of Ebonyi and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.
Buni declared that all the defected governors will not lose their cases in court, stressing that their defections did not contravene any law.
“The fortune was enriched with the joining of the former speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and members of the National Assembly. You have nothing to fear. Your defection did not violate any law,” Buni said.
“I am now more confident like never before that with 41 million members, APC can remain in power and continue to be Africa’s biggest political party,” Buni said while calling for the dissolution of the caretaker committee, which was seconded by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State.
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