Buhari to new NWC: Ensure most popular candidates emerge

President Muhammadu Buhari charged the new National Working Committee (NWC) to de-emphasise money politics and always allow the most popular candidates to emerge.

The committee, Buhari said at the convention, should “as a matter of policy, promote internal democracy and always respect the wishes of the people. We must de-emphasise money politics, and not subject party primary and elections into public offices to the highest bidder syndrome.”

He added: “Popular and acceptable aspirants who remain the people’s choice must be allowed to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 elections. We will resist the imposition of candidates.

“We should also promote equal opportunities and respect for the laws guiding the elections to stand us out as Nigeria’s ruling party.

“It is our hope that the new electoral act which l recently signed into law would promote the process of election, enhance transparency, fill in existing gaps and add value to Nigeria’s democracy.

“I, therefore, call on all the political parties, politicians and indeed the electorate, to be guided by the act and all other relevant laws for our democracy to thrive.”

He said the convention came at a very crucial period, being just a few months away from the general elections.

“This Convention is coming at a crucial time when we prepare for another round of a general election.Therefore, the need to remain strong and united for the party to exploit the rich and abundant potentials at its disposal cannot be over emphasised.

“We appreciate the right to hold different opinions and aspirations. However, such differences must not be to the detriment of the party,” he said.

He commended the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for steering the ship of the party this far, including reconciling aggrieved party members, purchasing a new party secretariat and launching an aggressive membership drive that saw three governors defecting into the APC, among others.