Pro-Buhari wants APC consensus candidate

A pro-Muhammadu Buhari group has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt consensus in choosing its presidential candidate.

The group, Buhari Vanguard, which made the call on Saturday through its chairman, Jasper Azuatalam, argued that choosing a presidential candidate by consensus is the most viable, cost-effective and unifying option available to the opposition party.

“After a detailed consideration of the electoral act, the APC constitution and other relevant laws relating to the emergence of a presidential candidate from a political party, we have come to the conclusion that consensus is the most viable, cost effective and unifying option available to the All Progressive Congress APC,” it said.

“As an opposition political party that has promised to reduce corruption in Nigeria to its barest minimum, it will be in good faith to avoid an indirect primary election, which will cost so much money and even lead to financial inducement by some who still believe in money politics against credibility and popularity.

“In the same manner, an indirect primary will give the ruling political party an opportunity to infiltrate the All Progressive Congress by influencing delegates with money and planting moles within the delegates to influence who emerges as the presidential candidate of APC. This is because they know the candidate to beat in APC and they will do all within their reach to make sure that such candidate does not emerge as an APC presidential candidate.”

The group expressed belief that the bitterness, rancour and disaffection that might arise from the contest would weaken the APC and give undue advantage to the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

“It is clear from all available statistics and parameters that the PDP has no locus standing in the 2015 presidential election, as they will lose woefully in a free and fair contest because of their abysmal performance in government which has earned them the wrath of Nigerians,” it added.

“A consensual arrangement as stipulated in article 20 of APC Constitution and Section 87 (6) of the Electoral Act is surely the best option available for the All Progressive Congress.

“This will save the APC of unnecessary litigation, rancour and strife that accompanies presidential primaries. If the Peoples Democratic Party with all the resources available to them and the power of incumbency is working towards a consensual arrangement by adopting Goodluck Jonathan, it will be wholly unwise and unintelligent for an opposition political party to want to sell the dangerous region.”