Lawan as consensus candidate: Gov. Lalong debunks claim of APC National Chairman

Northern Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have debunked the alleged endorsement of Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the consensus or anointed candidate of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Persecondnews had reported on Monday that the National Chairman of the party, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu announced Lawan as the party’s consensus candidate “after consultations with President Buhari”.

Speaking on behalf of the Governors, Simon Lalong of Plateau State debunked the claim of the national chairman.

“We sat down in the last few days and took a decision and gave an advisory. While we were on our way to advise the president, part of our discussion leaked out.

“Mr President being a democrat insisted on listening to us. So, he granted us the opportunity today. Our meeting today is to reaffirm our position.

“We apologized to him that the statement was made by all of us.

“Mr President was happy with our decision. Mr President believes in a democratic process; and that every candidate must emerge through a transparent process.

“The emphasis Mr President made was that for now, there is no anointed candidate, and therefore directed that the Progressive Governors Forum should meet with the National Working Committee of the party to agree,” Lalong told newsmen.

Lalong said the progressive governors would meet with the leadership of the party on Monday night after which they would come out with an “acceptable position” on the matter.

Eleven Northern APC Governors at the weekend urged the party leadership to zone its presidency to the South.

They also asked aspirants from the northern region to withdraw from the race.