Buhari’s non-assent to the amendment of Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act means APC will go into their primary with the original 2,340 delegates
By Kehinde Okeowo
The ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) may be considering picking a consensus candidate ahead of their party primary later in the week.
This is as President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, May 24 met stakeholders in his party inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Those who attended the closed door meeting included state governors and some members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the party.
President Buhari’s meeting is coming after governors under the APC umbrella met on Monday, May 23, at the Kebbi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro.
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The outcome of the latest meeting at Aso Rock with the President, was, however, not disclosed by those who attended at the end of the gathering.
According to Punch newspaper, the meeting was centred around the party’s forthcoming primaries and the need to have a consensus candidate.
It was also held to determine the direction of the primaries and the new date for the postponed presidential screening.
Meanwhile, President Buhari’s non-assent to the amendment of Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act transmitted to him by the National Assembly on May 13, has effectively ensured that elected officials of the party at all levels will not be part of the presidential primaries.
This has also caused a stir in the party.
With only 2,340 delegates expected at the presidential primaries, the 23 aspirants remaining in the race have been forced to re-strategize ahead of the May 29-30 contest in Abuja.