President Muhammadu Buhari has appraised the series of consultations held so far toward getting a widely acceptable presidential standard-bearer for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

Femi Adesina, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity, in a statement, said Mr. Buhari stated this at a meeting held on Sunday at State House, Abuja, with members of the ‘National Advisory Council’ of the APC.

The president said: “We are on the way towards winning our third straight victory since 2015.”

He said the meeting was convened to provide leadership and direction during the transition period, adding that the motive was “to strengthen our unity and to focus on building upon our electoral fortunes.”

“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,” he said.

Mr. Buhari recalled that at the meeting with the governors and the aspirants, “I underscored the important roles consensus building and consultation have played in the survival of successful political parties around the world, our party should not be an exception.

“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 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 has recommended the intensification of consultation and consensus-building.

The president said this would reduce the number of aspirants as it approaches the convention, which commences on Monday.

He 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 actualized.

The president said, as members of the National Advisory Council of the APC, he recognized the fact that they all had 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 said.

Mr. Buhari gave the assurance that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would lead the transition processes and ongoing 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, Mohammed Magoro, former Osun State Governor and first Interim National Chairman of the party, Bisi Akande, and former Senate President Ken Nnamani thanked the president for the consultative meetings.

They 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 2023, as well as National Assembly, governorship, and State Assembly polls. (NAN)