2023: We won’t impose presidential candidate — APC

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it would not impose any stalwart as its presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had a “self succession plan.” But reacting on Wednesday, the APC said Buhari has no third term agenda, adding that after the congresses and national convention, the party would field a consensus presidential candidate for the poll.

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The statement however, caused stir within the APC as some party leaders were jittery that the top echelon of the party would impose a presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 poll.

Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe in a statement yesterday said the party’s presidential, governorship and other candidates for the 2023 polls would emerge in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“In adherence with internal democracy, when the time comes to elect the APC 2023 presidential flagbearer and other party candidates, the process will be in full compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the APC Constitution and the approved party guidelines for the nomination of candidates.

“For clarity, the APC constitution provides that party candidates in all elections emerge through democratically conducted primary elections or where possible, consensus.

“The misleading interpretations given the earlier statement, particularly conspiracies aimed at senior party leaders and their perceived presidential ambitions are unnecessary and misplaced.

“The APC leadership will not impose any candidates in the leadup to Congresses, National Convention and the 2023 General Elections,” the party said.

Constitutes lobby committees

The ruling APC has approved the setting up of zonal strategic lobby committees that will engage party leaders at all levels to ensure youths’ participation in its forthcoming congresses and the 2023 general elections.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday signed by a member of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) representing the youth wing, Barr Ismaeel Ahmed.

Barr Ahmed who commended the leadership of the APC for the move, said the party had also approved 18 to 35 years for those seeking the position of youth leader in their wards.

He said, “The Chairman of the CECPC has approved for the Youth Wing of the APC to set up zonal strategic lobby committees that will engage party leaders at state and local levels to lobby the full inclusion and participation of young people in the forthcoming congresses.

“This action has rekindled the hopes of millions of progressive youths who until now had been dispirited from participating in the party activities and holding elective leadership positions within the party, especially at the grassroots level.

“Our expectation is that the congresses; whether by consensus or contest, will throw up many young and committed members of the party at the ward level as leaders that would invigorate the party.”