Buhari is a believer in consensus as one of the options of producing leadership – Bagudu
By Emma Ogbuehi
President Muhammadu Buhari prefers the consensus option in picking those who will populate the leadership cadre of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rather than full-fledged primary election whether direct or indirect.
The president’s mindset was revealed on Tuesday by the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, after a meeting between Buhari and governors elected on the platform of APC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Bagudu, who is the governor of Kebbi State, revealed that Buhari was in favour of consensus to select candidates for party offices.
“On Consensus, Mr. President reminded us that we have produced a number of national chairmen by consensus; Baba Akande emerged as the pioneer chairman of the party by consensus; His Excellency John Oyegun emerged by consensus; His Excellency Adams Oshiomhole emerged by consensus,” Bagudu said.
“So, he (Buhari) is a believer in consensus as one of the options of producing leadership, and he urged us to explore consensus, so that we can generate list.
“While recognising that many people who have indicated interest are equally competent, but knowing that just one person will occupy the office, consensus is part of our Constitution, he urged us to work towards consensus.”
Meanwhile, TheNiche had earlier reported that the ruling party may have agreed to zone its presidential ticket to the South going by the outcome of the meeting at the Villa today.
Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i who disclosed this said the party has agreed to alternate offices between the north and south in the next dispensation.
Mallam el-Rufa’i revealed that agreement had been reached on zoning formula.
Explaining the newly agreed arrangements with regards to sharing positions in the party, El-Rufa’i said all offices occupied by northerners in the last eight years will go to the south and vice versa under the new arrangement.
According to him: “We were divided over the timing of the convention. There were some Governors that felt that we should put off the convention until we resolve all the congress’ issues in some states.
“So, some Governors held the view that we should wait until all these are resolved and this is not borne out of any agenda or selfishness, it is just a realistic proposition to avoid us violating any laws or putting our party structures of elected candidates in danger.
“So yes, there were differences in opinion about timing. Some of us are saying the Constitution allows us to have convention, even if three or four states have issues that are unresolved while others are saying no, let us finish all the reconciliations and we do this convention. After all, there is no time limit for the convention, as long as we do it before the time for the primaries.
“We have agreed a zoning formula for all the six geopolitical zones and essentially, we swapped northern zones will take positions that southern zones had in the last eight years and vice versa. So very simple, equitable and fair formula.
“We will now go back and consult at the zonal level, and look at the positions that are available and the process of the convention preparation will start in earnest.
“So, by the grace of God on the 26th of March, we will have done a national convention. Whether we do zonal convention before that, or do it at the same time, again, the constitution is silent.
“So as our chairman said we can decide either way. But let nobody leave this room with any doubt that the Progressive Governors are united.”
At the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
Nineteen of the Governors are in attendance at the meeting taking place at the Council Chambers.
They are from Yobe, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Cross River, Kaduna, Lagos, Borno, Niger, Gombe, Osun, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kano, Imo, Kogi, Ogun, and Plateau states.
The outgoing Anambra Deputy Governor was also in attendance.