2019 elections’ll be tough – Oyegun

Ahead of next year’s general elections, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has advised that the party should have the sense of a ruling party, adding that the country’s population was much “wiser now.”

This is even as the National working Committee (NWC) has confirmed that the party’s convention will hold in Abuja, contrary to speculations that some interests were planning to move it to Kagos state. Speaking during the inauguration of APC 2018 national convention committee, headed by the Jigawa state Governor Abubakar Baduru, the national chairman said the party must not cuddle itself with the false sense of being the party in power.

He, therefore, charged the committee to ensure that the outcome of the convention reunited APC members, adding: “I am passing the buck over to you today; at the end of this exercise, I want to see a reunited APC under whatever leadership your exercise brings up.

We have a tough election ahead of us and we must prime ourselves for that election. We must not cuddle ourselves with any false sense of being the party in power. Our population today is much more aware of their rights than they have ever been before. So, as you proceed, please ensure that all these views and opinions are brought together into a one United APC. “The task that you have undertaken to perform is a heavy and tough one. The APC is known, in spite of induced controversies, for the cleanest primaries and congresses.

Our last presidential primary was by all account one of the best ever held and I dare say, anywhere. “It was a convention that was watched worldwide and you are supposed to repeat the feat. I have no doubt that this one, given the controversies that have preceded it will also be a most watched convention. So, you have the task of producing a convention that is free, fair and provide a level playing field for anybody who wants to aspire to any position.” On APC’s preparedness ahead of next year’s general elections, Oyegun said: “The signs are clear that this is a living party, the signs are clear that this is a vibrant party.

The signs are clear that this is a party whose leadership are committed and dedicated, inspire if current event, to make sure that this party is out in political fighting mood for them 2019 elections.” Responding, Badaru gave the assurance that the panel “will give all the contestants a level playing ground.” Badaru, who said President Muhammadu Buhari had no business in running the government “except for the care of our people,” added that APC’s mission was to rescue the country.

He said: “God is with us and God will continue to support with us because of our clear vision, our good heart and our love for the people of Nigeria. We all know that our leader has no business in running this government except for the care of our people. Most of us you see in APC are in the party today to serve our people. Our mission in APC is to rescue the country from near collapse we saw around 2014 and 2015.”

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