The consensus arrangement being adopted in the All Progressives Congress (APC) is helping to reduce tension and prevent conflict ahead of the general elections, according to Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin.
Fielding questions from newsmen when he returned to Abuja from Kano, where he emerged as the consensus candidate of the ruling party for Kano North Senatorial District, Barau said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves credit for the arrangement.
He described the development as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to internal democracy and party cohesion.
“The credit goes to Mr President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the APC, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
“Consensus is based on the premise of encouraging party unity and creating a good atmosphere for the emergence of candidates so that by the time we go into the general elections, there will not be much problem,” he said.
The Deputy Senate President said President Tinubu’s political experience at the grassroots level has played a key role in stabilising the party and ensuring smooth primaries.
“This is the first time we are having a president who started as a grassroots politician and rose to become President of this country. He understands the dynamics of politics and has been guiding us to remain united at all times,” he stated.
Barau also said governors and other party leaders were aligning with the President’s vision of reconciliation and unity within the APC.
He noted that many states were already embracing the consensus arrangement, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening the ruling party.
“Mr President is doing a wonderful job in ensuring unity within the party. Even his lieutenants are also working hard in resolving issues among party members, especially the Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, who has been playing a key role in promoting understanding and harmony in our party,” he said.
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the primaries would ultimately position the APC for electoral success in the forthcoming general elections.
“It is going to be good for the party because it will remove issues before the general elections among party members. By the grace of God, it will produce the best result ever for the APC in all the elections next year ” he added.