President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, told the 11th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja that the party’s leaders must eschew imposition of candidates if APC was to emerge victorious in the 2023 general election.

Buhari said the dictatorial behaviours of some leaders had cost the party many strategic elective positions, and led to the defection of several influential members of the party.

The assertions came as the APC NEC transferred its powers to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for 90 days. It was similar to what obtained during the now defunct Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party led by the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.

That was as National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu, yesterday, decried the “cold war” between serving and former governors, claiming the situation, fuelled by ego, is tearing the party apart.

In a related development, the chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said there was no explicit discussion at yesterday’s NEC meeting on the mode of primaries to be adopted by the ruling party, even though the timetable of the party suggested it might settle for indirect primaries.

Meanwhile, APC said it would commence the sale of nomination forms ahead of next year’s general election on April 22. It pegged the cost of its presidential nomination forms at N100 million, with primaries slated to hold between May 30 and June 2.

Speaking at the 11th NEC of the party in Abuja, Buhari commended all the aspirants at the last national convention of the party for their desire to serve. He also appreciated those who had to withdraw their aspirations for the over-all interest of the party. He said he considered it an honour to his person and an unwavering sacrifice for the unity of the party as they approached the coming elections.

credit- This