Amid sorrows, tears, blood in Owo, Buhari, APC leaders dine ahead party’s convention

Hours after the horrendous massacre of innocent worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, tables were set at the State House, Abuja, where President Muhammadu Buhari hosted leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the party’s Special National Convention, slated for between June 6 and 8, 2022.

The President had earlier in a terse statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, condemned the “heinous killing” of worshippers at the Catholic Church, located at Owa-luwa Street, in Owo.

“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win,” the President said, as he mourned the dead and condoled with their families, the Catholic Church, and the government of Ondo State.

But at the presidential rendezvous, uppermost on the mind of the Commander-in-Chief was winning a third consecutive victory at the polls for his party, APC.

Together with members of the National Advisory Council of the APC, Buhari appraised the series of consultations he has held so far with party stakeholders towards nominating a widely acceptable presidential candidate for the party, and concluded: “We are on the way towards winning our third straight victory since 2015.”

The president told his guests that the meeting was convened to provide leadership and direction during the transition period and “to strengthen our unity and to focus on building upon our electoral fortunes.”

He elaborated: “I am optimistic that the outcome of this consultation with the National Advisory Council will in addition to sharpening our focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices and culture that already exists within the party system.

“In the course of these consultative processes, I have already met separately with the Progressive Governors and with all our eminent members who are aspiring to become the Presidential flag bearer for our party during the 2023 elections.

“I am pleased to inform you that those meetings have been fruitful and indicative of a party that is prepared and marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the presidential polls.”

READ: Terrorists storm Catholic Church in Ondo, slaughter congregation

While making reference to an earlier meeting with APC governors and the party’s presidential aspirants, President Buhari reemphasised his position on consensus building and consultation, saying that such have played significant role in the survival of political parties around the world and that APC stands to benefit from the process.

“Recognizing the foregoing, therefore, I also emphasized the need to strengthen our unity, stabilize our internal cohesion and system as well as present a formidable Presidential candidate who has the ability to build a unified nation and the capacity to deal with our challenges.

“The party machinery has also screened all our aspirants to the office of the President and found that they consist of eminent personalities, rich in experience, capacity, commitment to service and accomplishment in life. This gives us a lot of confidence but it also comes with its challenges,” he said.

He said that in the circumstances, in order to prevent any post-convention acrimonies and also reduce noticeable anxiety among members on the possible outcome of the process, the party leadership had recommended the intensification of consultation and consensus building to reduce the number of aspirants as it approaches the convention, which commences Monday, June 6, 2022.

The President said in order to further support the efforts of the party, he had admonished the aspirants to consult among themselves and with the party, so that the objective of the recommendation by the leadership would be actualised.

And as members of the National Advisory Council of the APC, the President said he recognised the fact that they all have diverse interests, spheres of influence and expectations.

“You similarly possess the collective ability to ensure our victory at the 2023 polls by strengthening the stability and unity of the party.

“My charge and appeal to all of you, therefore, is to reach out to your various spheres of influence to actively promote the spirit of consultation and consensus building so that a formidable candidate for the 2023 Presidential elections would emerge from the convention. Our citizens do not expect less from us,” he charged.

President Buhari assured, as he did to the Governors and the aspirants, that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would lead the transition processes and on-going consultations, “till we successfully choose our candidate for the 2023 presidential elections and record our third straight victory, thereafter, by God’s grace.”

Responding on behalf of the National Advisory Council (hitherto known as Board of Trustees) members, former Internal Affairs Minister and Senator, Major General Mohammed Magoro (retd); former Osun State Governor and first Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande; and former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, thanked the President for the consultative meetings, and commended him for the great service he had rendered to the country, particularly in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure.

They were unanimous that with hard work and a united front, the APC would win the presidential election billed for February next year, as well National Assembly, governorship, and State Assembly polls.