Political

APC chairman admits flaws in February 25 polls

By Victoria Adeleke

March 13, 2023

The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, hasdmitted that there are flaws in the conduct of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Adamu revealed this in his speech while addressing the parley of APC National Working Committee with the president-elect, Bola Tinubu; vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima and members-elect of the National Assembly.

He gave the speech in a closed-door meeting, which commenced at 2.48 pm on Monday and was held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

Adamu’s assertion is coming a few days after members of the NWC called for the reformation of the APC and his resignation as the national chairman to balance the contentious Muslim-Muslim ticket of the incoming administration.

He said,

“I very heartily congratulate all the distinguished men and women elect. I salute you all. You are the new team Nigeria. From May 29 this year, the burden of our national unity, peace, and development will rest on your shoulders as a team.

“It is fair and honourable to admit that the February 25 elections were not perfect. We did not set out to conduct perfect elections.

“World history has no instances of perfect elections. Like all other democratic nations, we set out to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. This we did.

“I am proud to say we achieved this feat and delivered on the promise made by President Muhammadu Buhari to the people. For the first time in living memory in respect of our elections, there were no allegations of vote-buying and outcry over all the other ills associated with the conduct of our elections. Rigging may not be dead, but it has been decapitated. Our democracy is maturing, and we are maturing with it.

“From the results of February 25, 2023 general elections announced so far by the electoral umpire, INEC, the APC won the presidency, clean and clear, and a majority in both chambers of the National Assembly.

“We chose not to rout the other political parties because they are our partners in our national progress and development.”