By Akinwale Kasali
As the 2023 Presidential Election takes centre stage, and as different persons in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, indicating their interest in taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has disclosed that the APC is bent on choosing a consensus candidate to ensure Nigeria’s unity.
Professor Zulum said that critical stakeholders, within and outside the APC are working tirelessly towards a consensus that would present an acceptable and credible candidate to consolidate national unity in the forthcoming presidential primaries and other elections.
Zulum made this assertion when members of the Progressive Consolidation Group, PCG, paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Friday in Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
Governor of the Boko Haram ravaged State said, “We have to identify the right individuals to lead the nation and the task requires Governors, party hierarchy and the President working together in concert.”
He his State’s readiness to work with the Party hierarchy, members of the National Assembly and Leaders at ward and state levels to ensure the actualisation of decisions set to be made by President Muhammadu Buhari who is acknowledged as the party’s de facto leader.
“Borno state under me will promote unity and all efforts to ensure the success of APC, we shall work with the party hierarchy, our leaders at the National Assembly and our party leaders at ward and state levels, to arrive at best solutions for taking the country forward,” Zulum said.
He added that, “Individual aspirations may have to be downplayed because we all have to concur with the decision of the leader of our party.”
In the same vein, Aliyu Rabiu Kurfi, Chairman of the PCG, urged Zulum and his colleagues in the APC fold to facilitate a consensus towards making Professor Yemi Osinbajo Nigeria’s next President because of his leadership qualities, good self-discipline, moral qualities and competency demonstrated, most especially during Buhari’s absence.
According to Kurfi, “Make Osinbajo the APC Consensus Candidate, he is the best candidate for APC’s presidential ticket.”
