Senate President Ahmed Lawan has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to produce a ‘Unity List’ by Friday ahead of the party’s national convention on Saturday.
Lawan stated this after the National Assembly caucus leaders met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House on Thursday.
According to him, a Unity List presenting all agreed positions where a consensus has been achieved in the various sections or geopolitical zones of the country will be put forward.
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President Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN, President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan, Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Idris Ahmed Wase, Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege and others during a meeting with APC National Assembly Leadership ahead of the Party’s National Convention at the Council Chambers of the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. March 24, 2022
“We hope to achieve a consensus in selecting and electing the officers for the party, we are prepared to come up with a unity list,” he said.
Speaking further, Senator Lawan acknowledged that the country indeed has challenges but that the APC and the 9th Assembly have done well, particularly with the passage of old and salient bills, cooperation with the opposition members in the PDP and APGA to ensure that issues of national interest remain the prime goal.
He also stated that the absence of a ‘father figure’ like President Buhari in opposition parties is perhaps the reason for the disunity in their party.
On his part, President Buhari urged the APC leaders and members to channel their energies into improving the fortunes of the party in the forthcoming elections and avoid squabbling, that could distract and create disharmony.
With the elections less than 11 months away, the President urged that positions should be harmonised with a view to the party winning and providing good governance.
He told the lawmakers that a zoning template was produced and adopted by the party after wide consultations in order to ensure a reflection of equity in leadership while representing various dynamic interests.
Again, in order to maintain an overall position of dominance in the political landscape, the President implored party members to collaborate with the various stakeholders within and outside respective states and zones.