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President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that history would not forgove them if the party collapses by 2023.
The President said this at a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held at their national secretariat in Abuja.
His words: “History will not be fair on us, quite frankly, if APC collapses at the end of this term. History will be fair to us if APC remains strong at the centre rather than playing games.
“Everyone must work hard, contribute resources physically, materially, and more to ensure we maintain the leadership politically of this system. This is what we should all aim at and make sure at our various constituencies.
“What happened in Imo, Bauchi, Sokoto and Zamfara are so unfortunate. I would like you in your constituencies to make sure that you read the constitution of the party, you understand it and you stick to it.”
He admonished the people to elect only responsible and respected people into the wards and local government executives of the party to avert division or break up of the party.
“If for any other reason you divide the party at your constituencies to cause failure, history will not forgive you,” he said.
Mr Buhari also dismissed insinuations that he was planning to prolong his stay in office beyond 2023 when his sexond term would end according to the constitution.
“I said you should read the Constitution because I am not going to make a mistake,” he said. “Besides the age, I am not going to contest for third term because I will go by the Constitution. The Constitution says two-terms. I’m going to be frank here because I won’t be needing anybody’s vote.”
He commended the speedy consideration of the 2020 budget by the National Assembly. He said his government would ensure it maintains the cordial relationship with the lawmakers.
“I have tried several times to make Nigerians understand that the 16 years of PDP helped the country to create Nigerian elites through the oil boom which are not commensurate with infrastructural developments in the country.
“Look at the roads. The railway was killed and you know there is no power (electricity). If the infrastructure are good, a lot of Nigerians would mind their businesses because Nigerians are competitive.
“I want you to accept that you are now in charge. I am the president but the APC is in charge. We worked very hard to where we are and I want you all to continue to work as a body.”
He said all those who left the party will come back. The president said he does not need to threaten anybody with police because he went through due process himself to get elected.
“We will work honestly through the system to ensure we produce the best that will win in the 2023 elections,” President Buhari established.
Also in attendance at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ministers, state governors, including Bayelsa State governor-elect, David Lyon; and state chairmen of the party.