President Muhammadu Buhari met members of the Progressives Governors Forum (governors of the All Progressives Congress) on Tuesday in Abuja.
The forum chairman, who is the Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu, said the president advised that the party should explore the option of consensus while electing its officials at the forthcoming national convention.
He told journalists that consensus had worked for the APC in the past as many chairmen of the party emerged through that process.
“We have produced a number of national chairmen by consensus.
“Bisi Akande emerged as the pioneer chairman of the APC through consensus, John Oyegun emerged by consensus, Adams Oshiomhole emerged by consensus; the president reminded us of that.
“President Buhari is a believer in consensus as one of the options of producing leaders and he urged us to explore consensus.
“While recognising that many people who have indicated interest are competent, only one person will occupy the office at the end of the day.
“Consensus is part of our constitution and he urged us to work towards consensus.
“The governors have also been working to ensure that as part of equitable arrangement, zoning and consensus are incorporated.
“We have done that at the lower levels, and even at the national level; it’s almost certain that we will achieve it,” Mr Bagudu said.
The forum chairman added that the governors used the opportunity to formally inform the president of the new date of March 26, set aside for the party’s national convention.
“Today, the governors informed Mr President that we have had the briefing from the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Committee and we are supportive of its position,” he added.
On the forthcoming APC zonal congresses, Mr Bagudu dismissed insinuations that such arrangement was not in the APC constitution.
He equally dismissed insinuations that APC governors were divided over the party’s forthcoming national convention.
“The 22 governors of the APC are united. We are in total support of Mr President. We are appreciative of his leadership; we commend him for his leadership.
“We are appreciative of the sacrifice of the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee. And we thank them for successes recorded under it,” he said.
