We’ll deal with popular members only, Buhari tells APC chairmen

President Muhammadu Buhari has told state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that only members will represent the party at the national level.

He made the declaration while receiving state chairmen of the party led by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, at State House,  Abuja on Friday.

He has therefore advised them to develop a solid base from the grassroots to the national level to represent the party in elective positions.

The President urged them to serve the party with all their might and see their ‘‘chairmanship’’ as part of national service.

President Buhari said the ‘‘bottom-to-top approach’’ would ensure that only popular party men and women represent the party’s interest at the national level.

A statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) quoted the president as saying: ‘‘In my own opinion, this is necessary so that Nigerians will know and understand that whoever sits in your states has the support of your respective constituencies from the state, to the local government, wards and polling units.

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‘‘I want you to revisit the constitution of the party sooner than later. Your election will soon hold and I am going to take personal interest to make sure that the bottom-to-top is maintained and people are elected by their immediate and subsequent constituencies.

‘‘In Abuja, we want to deal with people who have a solid base from where they come,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the National Chairman said the National Working Committee of the party had decided to extend support on a monthly basis to all states chairmen to enable them to run their respective offices effectively.

‘‘Whatever support we (NWC) are giving them is a small token in relation to the huge responsibilities entrusted to them,’’ he said.

Oshiomhole thanked the President on his recent directive on Board appointments, noting that party members were looking forward to filling some existing vacancies in government and contribute their quota to the vision of the Next Level Government.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the 36 State Party Chairmen of APC, Hon. Ali Bukar congratulated the President on his victory in the February 23 presidential election which was also reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.

Bukar said the success of the Buhari administration in the economy, security and governance sectors must be sustained so that Nigerians will enjoy the dividends of democracy.