Buhari hints at endorsement of Deputy for 2023 presidential race

*’I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor,. who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023,’ says President Muhammadu Buhari

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

President Muhammadu Buhari will likely anoint a successor and propose a consensus presidential candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in next week’s primaries.

The President gave this indication Tuesday, May 31, 2022, during his meeting with the APC Governors and Chairman of the party on what is considered as the strongest hint yet that the President will soon endorse his Vice-President (Prof.) Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, according to impeccable Aso Villa sources present in the meeting.

According to President Buhari, the objective of the APC “must be the victory of our party and our choice of (presidential) candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory  and confidence even before the elections.”

This is believed by sources at the Presidency to be a direct reference to what has been the far-flung and widespread support the Vice-President has garnered in the last several weeks after he declared to run for President, and then, embarked on a nationwide interactions with APC delegates and stakeholders.

In fact, the source who was present in the meeting added that the APC Governors told Buhari, that they would embark on consultations, following his message to them.

“I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023,” said the President.

He explained that already APC “has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels.

“For example, first-term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election.

“Similarly, second-term Governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.

“As we approach the Convention, I appeal to all of you to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens  and the global community.”

Buhari further stated: “Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.”

Observers said in talking about how the party has encouraged first-term Governors to go for a second, “the President was urging for consistency in choice of the party’s flagbearer and also hinting at his preference for continuity through his deputy.”

Following the meeting with the President, the APC Governors are currently meeting in Abuja on the consensus candidate for the party.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State disclosed this development while appearing on ‘Politics Today’ on the Channels TV.

Sule said: “I am here today because I promised you I would be physically here. “If not so, I should be in the meeting currently holding by the APC Governors to discuss the issue of consensus candidate.”

The Nasarawa State Governor also noted: “The moment I leave here, I will go straight to join the meeting.”