By Dayo Omoogun
President Muhammadu Buhari has categorically declared that he has no intention of perpetuating himself in office beyond the on- going second term
which terminates in 2023, citing his age and constitutional provisions as limiting factors. He described the venture as a mistake he would not make.
While delivering his opening remarks at the All Progressives Congress(APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Wuse II Abuja Friday, President Buhari said : “I am not going to make the mistake of attempting a third term. Beside the age, I swore by the holy book that I would go by the constitution and the constitution says two terms. I know that I am in my last term and I can afford to be reckless because I am not going to ask for anybody’s vote. “
He charged his party leaders to maintain their political hold on their various constituencies not only for the office holders to remain relevant but also in order to ensure that the party retains power even after his exit in 2023.According to him, anybody office holder of the party “who fails to maintain the respect of his constituents and is thrown out, that is his problem.”
“Every member of NEC from today should reposition himself or herself to ensure that you have dominated your constituencies politically. The aim is that history will not be fair to us if outrightly, the APC collapses at the end of this term.
“History will be fair to us if APC remains strong and hold the centre and make gains.
He also spoke glowingly of the cosy relationship he currently enjoys with the ninth National Assembly which he believes will translate to development, contrary to what obtained with the eighth National Assembly.
On his part, the party’s National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole used the opportunity to celebrate the party’s victory in recent elections as well as to throw shades at Saraki the former Senate President and 14 others who left the party for the PDP, adding that Senator Dino Melaye would soon join the ranks of retired politicians.
“Mr President, I have chosen to amplify where we lost but we also made some gains that are quite outstanding. I am sure it gladdens the heart of every APC member and even APC well wishers that the man who led rebellion against our party, former Senate President, that people of Kwara state did not only deny him return to the Senate, they also voted out every element in PDP and today from the governorship we won, Senators we won and of course the House of Representatives and state House of Assembly.
“I think our victory in Kwara state for me was most outstanding. I think we now generally refer to Kwara with pride as the Otooge revolution.”
The NEC meeting was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC governors and other party leaders including former interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha,Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wade, Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya, Deputy Senate Leader, Prof. Ajayi Borrofice, Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu and Deputy Senate Whip, Sabi Abdullahi.
Also in attendance were governors of Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule, Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Katsina, Aminu Masari, Edo, Godwin Obaseki, Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu, Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru, etc.
Others were the suspended Edo State APC Chairman, Anslem Ojezua and also the suspended Deputy National Chairman North, Lawal Shuiabu while the Speaker, House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, governor of Ogun state Dapo Abiodun were represented by their deputies.