2023: I won’t step on Buhari’s toes –Tinubu

 

. Reps’ APC caucus endorses him

. President backs Buni as APC cancels NEC meeting slated for Thursday

Obiorah Ifoh

National Leader and 2023 Presidential aspirant of  All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has vowed “never to step on President Muhamadu Buhari’s toes” if elected as Nigeria’s next President.

 

Speaking when he met with the APC Senate Caucus on Wednesday, on what he would do regarding President Buhari’s policies. Tnubu said he would rather step into Buhari’s shoes as Nigeria’s next President.

 

According to him, he possesses the requisite experience and capacity to be Nigeria’s next President, having served as a former state governor and as a Senator.

 

He was received by the APC Senators, led by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan in Rroom 301.

 

Tinubu, who hailed the National Assembly for sustaining the nation’s democracy, said the interest of women iwas necessary, adding that APC is doing its best to include the interest of women.

 

Meanwhile, the APC caucus in the House of Representatives on Wednesday in Abuja openly endorsed Tinubu for the 2023 presidential election.

 

It all happened when Asíwájú Tinubu visited the National Assembly to address the APC caucus in the Senate and House in continuation of his engagement and consultations with critical stakeholders on his 2023 aspiration.

 

House Leader, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa, who led the lawmakers in the endorsement, spoke of Asiwaju’s track record as Senator and governor, as a democrat helping to build and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, and as a party loyalist who did more than any other to create and sustain the APC.

 

He said the APC leader has all it takes to aspire to the presidency and has physical and mental capacity to run the affairs of this country.

 

Hon. Doguwa then put the question to his colleagues asking whether it was their wish to endorse Asíwájú Tinubu for the 2023 race to which they all answered in the affirmative without any dissenting voice.

 

Earlier addressing them, the APC described the National Assembly as a vital arm of government, noting that the legislators had made important contributions to the unity and stability of the country and sustenance of her democracy as the most direct representatives of the individual constituencies at the Federal level.

 

The APC leader said he was in the National Assembly to seek the lawmakers’ counsel, collaboration and support for his ambition.

 

Asíwájú Tinubu also told them he had informed President Buhari of his aspiration, saying he wanted “to step into the president’s shoes without stepping on his toes.”

 

House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila expressed surprise that many of those claiming to be in the race were sitting at home and not interfacing with Nigerians.

 

“I don’t think it’s good that Nigerians are still waiting six weeks to the primaries to know those in the race. It’s not fair on Nigerians,” he said.

 

He described Asíwájú Tinubu as one man who had indicated he would not take Nigerians for granted and would consult widely and talk to anyone who cared to listen.

 

The APC leader had begun the consultations at the National Assembly with the Senate caucus.

 

He said being with the Senators brought back heartfelt memories of his time in the Senate in 1992.

 

In another development, President Buhari has once again intervened in the uncertainties currently rocking the APC.

 

In a letter personally signed by him, addressed to Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, who is also the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, President Buhari said the multiplicity of cases currently rocking the party has the prospect of invalidating the activities and actions of the Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

The letter, which was also copied to the Chairman of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC), the Acting Chairman of the CECC, Governor Sani Bello, the Director General of the DSS as well as the Inspector-General of Police, the President said that since the party could not change the leadership of the CECC without infringing on the time limit set by INEC, and the fact that the current uncertainties and controversies “pose a real threat to the party,” he has therefore directed as follows:

 

“The issue of the leadership of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC) should immediately return to status quo ante;

 

“All members of the Governors Forum and their followers should desist from any behaviour or utterance that will likely lead to disunity in the ranks of the party, and ultimately jeorpadise the transition to the convention;

However, The planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been cancelled.

Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja.

“As directed by the National Chairman of APC CECPC and Gov. of Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, a purported emergency meeting of the  party’s NEC slated for Thursday, March 17, 2022 is hereby cancelled,” he said.

Buni was reported to have been in a meeting with President Muhammad Buhari in London where the president called for unity among the party’s members and governors whom he asked to support the Buni-led APC CECPC.

Buhari had also called on APC governors to stop further utterances that could lead to disunity in the party ahead of its March 26 National Convention.

A statement by the President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, quoted a letter personally signed by the president and addressed to Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi who is also the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF).