THE All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Thursday, endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for the second term come 2019.
In a marathon meeting by the stakeholders and party bigwigs which lasted till after midnight, on Wednesday, the former said there is the need for President Buhari to consolidate on the gains of the Change Agenda of APC led Federal Government.
The meeting was led by FCT Secretary Education, Senator Isa Maina and Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Chief Osita Okechukwu, while the latter proposed for an endorsement of President Buhari for second term, member representing FCT North, Honourable Zephaniah Jisalo, seconded the proposition and all the speakers indicated that the endorsement was based on the land mark achievements of the President’s administration.
Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the party leaders and FCT residents, an elder of the party in the FCT, Senator Sidi Ali said, “on behalf of all the citizens of the FCT and the ruling party, APC, I would like to state that we have deliberated and resolved to endorse Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari’s bid for a second term in office.
“Mr. President has been endorsed by the citizens of the FCT as well as the APC because of the need to consolidate on the gains of the Change Agenda. We are going to work and make the necessary sacrifices for the success of Mr. President, because he has implemented the programmes and manifestos of our party.” He added.
Senator Ali paid tributes to the efforts of President Buhari to restore the economy, stating that the future is quite bright for the posterity and for the good fortunes of the country.
Articulating other resolutions of the party, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello expressed delight at the successful conclusion of the meeting, stating that the members were happy that the President has agreed to go for a second term.
He espoused for unity in the party, saying “APC is a party of rules and regulations as exemplified in the character of Mr. President. It is consequently determined to ensure the democratic process in the selection or affirmation of the leadership of the party during its forthcoming congresses. They would be done in a fair, open and transparent manner.”
Bello spoke on the symbol of the party which is the broom, noting that as long as the broom was together it could not be broken but when the broomsticks run solo they could easily be broken.
He stated that the forthcoming congresses would still follow the zoning principles enshrined in the constitution of the party and that members resolved to adopt the principles of peaceful resolution of differences and consensus building during the caucuses.
The minister welcomed other people who were interested to join the party, saying that the party has room for everybody, while calling for sacrifices and support of the FCT residents as the party works to launch the country on the path of growth.
Earlier, the APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman welcomed members to the gathering, recalling the achievements of the party under his leadership which included advancing the gains of his party from one Area Council Chairmanship stool in the previous elections to five in the last polls.
This, according to him, also includes a dominance of the dosing ranks and ensuring that the forth coming congresses were conducted in a democratic atmosphere bereft of rancour.
The meeting which was the first since the appointment of Mandate Secretaries, Political Aides, as well as Heads and Board members into the FCT administration’s executive stable was an opportunity to introduce some new faces in the FCT APC caucus.
Some of the new ones included a former Commissioner for Transport in Lagos State who is now the Secretary Transport in FCT, Honourable Stanley Nzekwe, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, a former Chairman of Local Government in Imo State and House of Assembly members among others.
Other participants at the meeting include all National Assembly members representing FCT, Area Council Chairmen and Mandate Secretaries and political aides.
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