The stance of President Muhammadu Buhari to pick his favoured choice as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate in Monday’s convention has continued to generate anger in the ruling party.
A group, the APC National Stakeholders have frowned at the pronouncement which they noted was inimical to the ruling party’s political fortune at the next general elections.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, National Convener of the Forum, Aliyu Audu, said his group was afraid the party was about to be stripped of the right to pick a formidable candidate ahead 2023 general elections.
He recalled that the process that threw up Senator Abdullahi Adamu has created bad blood as chieftains who were forced to step down believed they were treated shabbily.
Short of accusing Buhari of insincerity, Audu said his position that governors allow him to pick his anointed choice went contrary to his earlier assurances that he would allow a level playing field for all aspirants.
He said: ” Gentlemen of the press, in a January 6, 2022 interview with the Nigerian Television Authority, the president stated clearly that he would not play the role of a kingmaker in the choice of his successor and any other elective office, just as he stated that he tried about three times to contest for President before he emerged, and so anyone that wants to become the next president should also work for it.