Buhari Reacts Over Nationwide ‘Controversial’ APC Primaries

President Muhammadu Buhari seems to be far away from the crises realities of his Party, as he has congratulated ‘winners’ of All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries across the country, urging losers to demonstrate sportsmanship by accepting the outcomes without bitterness or resentment.

“In every competition, someone has to win and someone has to lose, but those who lost should not abandon the party or lose their enthusiasm for the advancement of the party,” the president said.

President Buhari advised Nigerian politicians to learn from several aspirants like Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State “who despite his loss didn’t abandon APC for another party because he was angry over the outcome of the gubernatorial primaries.’’

The president said that: “the larger interest of our party is greater than our individual ambitions, and we should therefore work together for its success, despite our losses.’’

According to Mr Buhari, “in politics, we shouldn’t lose hope permanently because tomorrow could present another opportunity for us to contest again and win.’’

He advised the losers of the primaries “to always put the party first because we are in it together to serve the country, and I am always proud of our members who demonstrate sportsmanship and a good party spirit.”

President Buhari also enjoined the winners “to show grace in victory instead of mocking the losers, as such action is capable of destroying party unity and cohesion. The tent is large enough for us.”

He added that “those elected should see their positions as a public trust instead of abusing their mandates to amass personal wealth at the expense of the ordinary voters who voted them into power.’’

In a separate statement, the presidency said it wishes to distance President Muhammadu Buhari from a letter currently in circulation, which alleges that the president had authorised a governor or anyone else for that matter to “deal with traitors and disloyal members of APC, especially Senator Shehu Sani.”

We wish to confirm that the president is not aware of any such letter, let alone authorising anyone to deal with any party member.

Given President Buhari’s record, it is inconceivable that he would usurp the role of the party leaders and instruct anyone to punish a party member.

In the light of above, we would like to appeal to the general public, especially members of the press, to ignore false or unauthorised information intended to attribute to the president any action which is not in line with his character.