President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the leaders of his ruling d All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders that their continued intra-party squabbles are an open invitation to the opposition People’s Democratic Party to take over at the next election.
Nigeria holds a general election next year at which Buhari’s successor will be elected, but he told his party member that the recurring differences, disunity, and lack of agreement, could the party of victory at the polls.
He spoke during an interview on the government-owned Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
While noting the existence of disagreement among APC leaders, which has delayed the party’s convention, he however ruled out the possibility of any kingmaker imposing leaders on the party members.
“We have a timeframe we have to work because the four-year tenure is constitutional. It cannot be interfered with by anybody. So, if the APC can’t agree, then, the opposition will naturally take over. What did the PDP do? They said the opposition could not come together, but when ACN, ANPP, CPC, APGA came together before PDP realised it, they were off. They are still off. They can see it,” he said.
“My position is simple. I think I succeeded in trying to get my position understood in the sense that I said, we start from bottom upwards; from polling units to wards, to local governments, to states and then, to Abuja. So, the party, because I’m concerned about my party, the party, in all constituencies, they will know their leaders, coming up. Therefore, when they come to Abuja, they are likely to work together.”
Buhari declared that “There is no kingmaker from Abuja. No constituency is being dictated to. All constituencies are supposed to produce their leadership in our party. What other parties are doing is their own business, but we want to make sure that our party members understand that they are respected. It is from polling unit, toward to local government, to state and after Abuja. So, those who want to be elected at any level, let them work for it. Nobody is going to appoint anybody”.
The president was also taken up on the issue of corrupt politicians crossing from other parties to the APC, which now seems to be a haven for such personalities. He declared however that there is no escape for any corrupt politician, even within the APC.
“I don’t like to accept that joining our party will check our insistence on accountability. We are very serious about people who aspire to lead at whatever level by their performance, by their integrity, both professional and personal.
“But the problem is that we have to work within the system. Even if you suspect individuals, unless there is evidence, there isn’t much we can do. So, really, it is the system that makes it possible for some people really to even be corrupt.”
“They can’t. Nobody can go scot-free as far as I’m concerned. Imagine what the opposition could do to me if there is something in my record. A lot of confusion could have been caused, but luckily, I think we try to find officers with integrity and that is the best thing for Nigerian leadership at all levels.
“Behave with integrity. If that is done, we will achieve better results. If that is not done, a lot of time will be wasted in talking, quarreling, and making a lot of noise”.