Do not allow the party primaries to be influenced by “highest bidders”, President Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned the new National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

Mr Buhari gave the warning at the 2022 APC National Convention in Abuja, urging party leaders to always promote internal democracy and equal opportunities for all members of the party.

He called on politicians and the electorate “to promote the process of election, enhance transparency, fill in existing gaps and add value to Nigeria’s democracy for our democracy to thrive.” 

The president, who adduced reasons for his recent intervention in the affairs of the party, said that it was not intended to muzzle dissenting voices.

“Recently, l had cause to intervene in the leadership crisis which was about to cause confusion in the party.

“Such internal disputes are common in young democracies such as ours, but we must avoid overheating the polity and not allow our differences to tear and frustrate the party.

“Like I said earlier, it does not do anybody or the party any good, when we, as leaders, go down so low and resort to backstabbing and name-calling in the media.

“We should learn how to resolve our differences without jeopardizing our personal relationships and the fate of the Party.

“I want to thank the Progressives Governors’ Forum for heeding to my advice and suggestions in settling the leadership dispute,” he said.

He lauded the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for successfully piloting the affairs of the Party in the last 18 months. 

“I am glad the party under the Caretaker Committee has bounced back to life with the reconciliation of several key and critical stakeholders and groups who had hitherto left the party or were on the verge of leaving the party.” 

Mr Buhari called on members of the APC to remain united and strong and also support the incoming leadership of the party.

He warned those who failed in their aspiration for party offices or to fly the party’s flag not to engage in a “campaign of calumny against the party.” 

(NAN)