APC Rejects Zoning Presidency To South East, Says All Regions Are Free To Vie

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has ended the clamour to zone the party’s presidential ticket to the Southeast in the 2023 elections with Friday’s declaration that all positions in the party are open for all regions to vie.

The APC’s position was conveyed by the Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Abubakar Bagudu.

Bagudu dropped the hint as the party welcomes the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, who joined its fold during the week.

He said APC is “open, transparent and will continue to guarantee fair contestation in politics, in line with the overarching commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari and all our founding leaders” , insisting that “everyone, from every part of the country is free to aspire for any position in the party in line with provisions of our party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended”.

Welcoming the defecting governor to the APC, Governor Bagudu said the courageous step by Prof Ayade was both in keeping with his commitment to the development of the country as it is a testament of the capacity of APC to mobilize all Nigerians in line with the vision of the party’s founding fathers .

He stated further :
“Also, we salute our members of the APC National CaretakerExtraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the leadership of HE Mai Mala Buni for this milestone achievement of once again getting another experienced leader in the person of His Excellency Ben Ayade to join the APC.

“We welcome Mr. Ben Ayade for taking the courageous decision of leaving the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to join our party, the All Progressives Congress. The movement of our compatriot to the APC is indicative of his principles, commitment and conviction to the development of Nigeria.

“Given all his achievements in Cross River State, Mr. Ayade is only coming home where he belongs. APC is indeed the party that will provide him and his people, and indeed all Nigerians the viable platform for political aspirations and negotiations.

“Together with Mr. Ayade and all our leaders in the APC, our party’s capacity to serve the collective interests of all Nigerians through effective representation will be strengthened and reinforced.

“Our party, APC, is open, transparent and will continue to guarantee fair contestation in politics, in line with the overarching commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari and all our founding leaders. Our National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee has worked hard to restore the political credentials of the APC as a strong institution for Nigeria’s democratic development. We will continue to support the National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee in all its current initiatives to rebuild our great party. With the coming of Mr. Ayade, the capacity of our party to mobilise all patriots and other like-minded progressive Nigerians to join the APC is stronger.

“APC belongs to all Nigerians. Everyone, from every part of the country is free to aspire for any position in the party in line with provisions of our party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The guiding philosophy as enshrined in the provisions of our manifesto is economic, social and political development of Nigeria.

“The Progressive Reinforcement of our party continues. We look forward to receiving more patriots and progressive minded Nigerians into the APC!.”