The President made the revelation in his address during Thursday’s meeting of the National Executive Committee that produced former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Spokesperson for the ninth Senate, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as the new national chairman and secretary of the APC respectively.
Tinubu also defended the legitimacy of the 2023 poll, warning that those still struggling to accept the outcome of the ‘free and fair election’ don’t deserve the joy of victory.
He said, “Some people baited us but we honoured their wishes and yet coasted to victory. Yes, we are facing challenges in court and I say this is one of the freest and fairest elections in the history of Nigeria. As a democrat, those who cannot accept the result of a free and fair election, do not deserve the joy of victory.
”We have worked hard, and we have received the trophy. Winning an election is the first part of the process. What is next is good governance and quality service delivery. We must promote unity, peace, and love among all organs of the party.
”You are the makers and drivers of the party. When we have all passengers inside the bus, the driver must not fall asleep. The brake must also work well. Party loyalty must exist.”
On the main agenda of the NEC meeting, which appointed new external auditors to audit party accounts and fill the vacant offices of National Chairman and National Secretary, Tinubu urged the NEC to devolve some of its powers to the National Working Committee of the party to also fill other vacancies in the party.
This request was sequel to a motion moved by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and seconded by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who doubles as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.
In his acceptance speech, the former Kano governor promised to promote unity among party members, carry out reforms and adhere to internal democracy.
“Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make party functional throughout the year. More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape. Our main focus will be promoting party unity and defending and increasing the number of executive and legislative seats we currently hold.
“We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively to the challenges that Nigerians confront on a daily basis. I want to make a special appeal to Nigerians to bear with the President at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy had been in shambles for years. I believe the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr President when his administration fully takes shape, will surely turn around things for the better
“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair. Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of our party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections,” he said.
The appointment of Ganduje, a Northern Muslim and Basiru, a fellow Muslim from the South has reopened the debate on the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket and the suitability of the ruling to have its two principal officers sharing the same faith.
“This was exactly what (Mallam Salihu) Lukman has been screaming all along before he resigned from his position as the national vice chairman for North-West. It is just inappropriate. This will almost make rubbish of the earlier zoning arrangement had before the NASS election, ” a member of the NWC told our correspondent.
The source, however, noted that they are hoping the reforms and wider consultations promised Ganduje will look into the matter with a view to strike a balance in the new zoning arrangement.
In his welcome address, the acting National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the ruling party was conscious of the new challenges facing it as the majority party at the sub-national level and the National Assembly.
Paying tribute to the founding members of the party, Kyari said the party had achieved significant milestones that had made a positive impact on Nigerians since its establishment 10 years ago.
