President Muhammadu Buhari says his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is on its way to winning the 2023 presidential election.

“We are on the way towards winning our third straight victory since 2015,” said Mr Buhari, according to a statement by his media aide Femi Adesina.

Mr Buhari stated this at a meeting held on Sunday at State House, Abuja, with members of the National Advisory Council of the party.

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,” explained the president. “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.”

He disclosed that his meetings with the stakeholders had been “fruitful and indicative of a party that is prepared and marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the presidential polls.”

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

Reiterating his position, he stated, “Recognising the foregoing, therefore, I also emphasised the need to strengthen our unity, stabilise 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.”

He admitted that the APC presidential aspirants “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,” Mr Buhari further acknowledged.

He said in the circumstances, to prevent any post-convention acrimony and also reduce anxiety among members on the possible outcome of the process, the party leadership recommended consultation and consensus building.

In his opinion, that would reduce the number of aspirants contesting the APC presidential primary election.

(NAN)