All the big guns of the All Progressives Congress,(APC) including President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, all the governors were present as the national convention of the party opened in Abuja.
The event at the Eagle Square, which was well attended by party supporters and delegates defied expectations of fake news peddlers that the party would implode.
Rather, the party by bringing everyone together demonstrated its unity.
Former Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun expressed delight over the unity by members and leaders, in spite of the fake news industry.
And President Buhari also urged members with grievances to keep faith with the party.
The convention affirmed the election of former governor Adams Oshiomhole as chairman. The election of 19 other officers of the party was also affirmed.
President Muhammadu Buhari commended members and leadership of the party for adopting consensus as a first option in the election of the partys national officials.
The President said the process had led to a lot of healing and cohesion across the states and the zones, and even where elections were inevitable.
He, therefore, enjoined members to bury all their differences, keep faith with the party and accept the outcome of the convention.
He said: I have been assured that the process adopted will result in clear and undisputed results.
Again I am appealing to all contestants to keep faith with the party.
I, therefore, appeal to all to put our great party ahead of personal considerations and to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith.
You are all important to our partys progress and all must come together to ensure success in the forthcoming polls so as to enable us to continue the good work we have been doing for our fellow Nigerians. .
The President also assured all members of the party that despite a few lingering issues with the recently concluded congresses in some states, the party would emerge stronger after the convention.
According to him, the unresolved cases of the congresses are the price the party has to pay for success, as everyone wants to be associated with a winning team.
He, therefore, implored all those with grievances to keep faith with the party until we put things right.
I want to assure everyone here that despite a few lingering issues with the congresses in some states, our great party will emerge stronger after this convention.
The unresolved cases we have is the price we have to pay for success, as everyone wants to be associated with a winning team.
I am imploring all those with grievances to keep faith with the party until we put things right, he said.
The President, who led delegates from Katsina state to cast his vote at the convention, thanked the outgoing National Executives of the party, for their tireless efforts in securing victory for the party at the last elections and managing the success thereafter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 22 positions including that of the National Chairman of the party as of the time of filing this report emerged unopposed.
Source: NAN