LEADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South geopolitical zone of the country rose from a zonal consultative meeting on Tuesday night to adopt President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s candidate for the 2019 election.
A communique of the meeting held in Abuja at the home of the former Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and read to newsmen by the National Vice Chairman of the APC in the South-South. Mr Ntufam Hilliard said that Buhari should be supported to return to office in 2019.
The Communique also frowned at the recent open letters written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida, declaring that the statesmen should utilise the avenue of channels of communication open to them to reach the president, rather than heating up the polity.
The caucus praised what it changes in the political economy of Nigeria under Buhari adding that the President’s anti-corruption war was bringing accolades to Nigeria from outside the borders.
It, however, condemned the killings across the country by herdsmen while expressing “full confidence in the Presidential Committee headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and enjoined leaders and governments at all levels to work with the Committee to find lasting and sustainable solutions to the problem.”
The communique read: “Given the above scenario, recognising the very successful war against corruption, the effective degradation of Boko Haram, the very laudable agricultural and economic policies that have seen us out of recession, the continuing high regard for his person and leadership around the world that have promoted a bright new image for Nigeria, the credibility he continues to enjoy among the vast majority of Nigerians and among APC members, and the need for continuity in policy and programs, the Caucus of the APC South-South Zone, unanimously adopted and endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari to run for a second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The communique read in full: “The leadership of the APC from the South-South of Nigeria, met in Abuja to review the state of the nation, with particular reference to the state of the party, current political positioning, alignment of socio-political forces and the forthcoming 2019 elections.
“The Caucus expressed full satisfaction with the steady growth of the APC in the South-South and urged its members to continue working hard to ensure a full Democratic takeover of the South-South Region;
“Caucus acknowledged the changes in the Nigerian political economy and commended the excellent performance of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration and enjoined Nigerians to continue to support the administration in every way possible;
“Caucus noted with regret, the current tendency of some political leaders to write letters rather than follow existing open lines of communication and dialogue. it noted that such methods of political engagement can only breed disaffection and mediate the on-going effort at repositioning our economy for growth and development. It therefore
called on political leaders to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to contain all forms of violence, strengthen the foundation of our polity, expand and grow the economy, and continue to promote sustainable growth, peace and people-centred development;
“On the herdsmen issue, Caucus strongly condemns in strong terms the killings of Nigerians and sincerely and deeply sympathises with the States, Communities and families that have been affected, expressed full confidence in the Presidential Committee headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and enjoined leaders and
governments at all levels to work with the Committee to find lasting and sustainable solutions to the problem;
“Given the above scenario, recognising the very successful war against corruption, the effective degradation of Boko Haram, the very laudable agricultural and economic policies that have seen us out of recession, the continuing high regard for his person and leadership around the world that have promoted a bright new image for Nigeria, the
credibility he continues to enjoy among the vast majority of Nigerians and among APC members, and the need for continuity in policy and programs, the Caucus of the APC South-South Zone, unanimously adopted and endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari to run for a second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Caucus, finally, committed to working assiduously to ensure the success of the Presidential Campaign, and therefore, inaugurated a South-South Presidential Campaign Committee.”
The South South Leaders of APC who graced the event included the Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, his predecessor in office, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, another former Governor of Edo state, Senator Oserhiemen Osunbo, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani U. Usani, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Ita Enang , Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena.
Others included the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senator Magnus Abe; Chief Don Etiebet; Comrade Frank Kokori, Senator Domingo Obende, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator John Owa Enoh as well as the party’s state chairmen and state executive committee members across the six states of the South-South.