Buhari seeks presidential candidate for victory in 2023 polls

President Muhammadu Buhari revealed his criteria for the All Progressives Congress’s ideal presidential candidate in the 2023 elections on Tuesday, May 31.

The president made the announcement in Abuja at a meeting with APC governors.

“Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections,” President Buhari said, as quoted in a statement signed by presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina.

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On Monday, the APC began screening its presidential candidates.

Between June 6 and 8, a convention is expected to be held, with the candidate chosen from a field of roughly 23 candidates.

The President told the Governors during their meeting on Tuesday that they must guarantee that the party chooses a presidential candidate who reflects the APC’s principles and qualities.

“The processes for the 2023 General Elections have commenced in earnest and I note that the most successful political parties globally have always relied on their internal cohesion and a strong leadership brand to achieve bigger electoral fortunes,” Buhari said.

“Our party, the APC, shall not be any different, more so as we are still implementing the blueprint for a more prosperous nation.

“As I begin the final year of my second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the party, I recognize the compelling need for me to provide stronger leadership to the party under this transition process and to ensure that it happens in an orderly manner.

“Such leadership is required so that the party remains strong and united. It is also needed to improve our electoral fortunes by ensuring that it retains power at the center, hold the great majority in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states.

“In a few days, the party will be holding its Convention during which primaries would take place to pick the Presidential Flag Bearer for the 2023 General Elections. This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.”

The President also appealed to all the Governors “to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens and the global community.”