Lawan foresees dire problems for APC after Buhari leaves office

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may face serious problems after President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office in 2023, except timely interventions are taken to prevent it.

Lawan issued the warning on Monday night in a speech delivered to close the First Progressives Youth Conference 2021 which took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

As indicated by him, the party must begin to plan ahead to sustain the goodwill and legacies of the present government by guaranteeing that its leaders hand over power to capable youths in the APC.

The Senate President stated that by doing so, the party would be able to retain its allure and patriotic position beyond the 2023 general elections.

He said, “Whether we like it or not, the truth is, President Muhammadu Buhari remains the person with the bulk of the support we get across this country in APC.

“[And] when he leaves, he would still have some roles, but I daresay that it is after he leaves office that APC will face its challenge.

“Yes, we have to know our value then, and the value of APC presently is APC minus President Muhammadu Buhari. Whatever it is, that is the value of APC.

“So, we need to do a lot to build this party, and we need our youths more than ever before for them to continue with this legacy that this administration has established all over the country.

“That means we have to see ourselves as brothers and sisters, regardless of where we come from.”

The Senate President lamented that the plan of the APC to deliver most of its promises to Nigerians was slowed down in the first tenure of the President Buhari regime due to the dispute between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government.

He added that the ongoing amendment to the 1999 constitution will grant priority to include youths to rule.

Lawan clarified that the objective was to guarantee that power is given to younger generation in a way that permits them to take part in the process.

He said, “I am with you and I am on your side. I am still on the side that we can give power to our youths.

“We should enable them, prepare them and tell them this is the way to go. You have seen us do it, and you can do better because of the energy and capacity that you have.

“So, we also have to mentor our youths, but we have to give them the opportunity to participate in governance.

“I really feel we can do better to have more youths and more women in our government and party positions.”