2023 Presidency: Buhari will decide for APC ― Women Leader

Ahead of next month’s presidential convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Women Leader of the party, Dr Betta Edu, has said President Muhammadu Buhari holds the ace on who will ultimately emerge the standard-bearer of the ruling party.

He made the declaration on Tuesday while playing host to the Women Mobilisation Wing of Governor Yahaya Bello Campaign Organization.

Secretary to Kogi State Government, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade, led the delegation.

Checks revealed that about seven chieftains of the party had since signified interest in the party presidential ticket.

The Presidential Convention is expected to hold between May 30-31st.

Dr Edu, who expressed satisfaction that all the aspirants have the capacity to lead the country, however, insisted that whoever picked the ticket must be women-friendly.

She said: “There is one very beautiful thing I love about APC. The aspirants that are coming out for the presidential tickets in APC are not in any way even close to average. They are high above and far above the board. I have not seen one that is not good.

“Now as a party, our party will come together under the leadership of the President, Muhamadu Buhari and of course the national chairman and other leadership structures of our party to decide on whom will be the candidates of our dear party.

“Let us pray for our leaders. Let’s pray for our country. Let’s pray that the best leader will emerge victorious in our next convention. That’s where we can go with our foot soldiers to the polls.

“But one thing is certain: APC will not give its tickets to a presidential candidate who will not favour women. “We know our President and all the glass ceilings he has broken. You know our party chairman and all the glass ceilings he has broken for women; giving us free forms.”

She further urged members of the Yahaya Bello Campaign Organization not to relent in vigorous campaigns to ensure victory for the ruling party in the next general elections.

“Before that decision is made, something requires time that we must do immediately. If indeed you are supporting a candidate in APC, you are supporting Governor Yahaya Bello, you must go out now and begin the door to door mobilisation for registration. Go door to door and begin the campaign for voters registration.

“The APC women’s wing will be coming all out, will be going to states to mobilise women to go and register. Remember, if they don’t have their voters card our work is useless even if they give any of our aspirants the tickets it will not amount to (victory). So we must take our campaigns now, door to door.”

In her remarks, Kogi SSG said the team was on solidarity visits to the APC Women Leader. She restated that other governors have a lot to learn from Governor Bello in the area of according recognition of women in public office.

“We are here to say congratulations on your new office and also to assure you that you have the support of all the women in the Yahaya Bello support group. I need to just let you know the fact that Yahaya Bello loves women, he gives us a place of honour.

“In Kogi State, as we stand from 2016 to date, I have been the SSG, a woman. Not just that, the Head of Service has been a woman. We have a pioneer pension commission, His Excellency said let me put a Woman as DG.

“All the 21 local government areas, all the vice-chairman are women. We have six institutions, three of them (leaders) are women.

“I need to let you know that His Excellency loves to put women in places of honour. He likes to give us relevance.”

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