APC chairman admits flaws in February 25 polls
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, admitted on Monday evening that the conduct of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections was not 'perfect.'
Adamu made the statement during a meeting of the APC National Working Committee with President-elect Bola Tinubu, Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima, and National Assembly members-elect.
The closed-door meeting, which began at about 2.48 p.m., was held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
Shettima, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, and Senator Godswill Akpabio were among those who attended the event.
The development comes just days after disgruntled NWC members called for the party's reformation and his resignation to balance the incoming administration's contentious Muslim-Muslim ticket, which has created tension ahead of the 2023 elections.
At the event, Adamu congratulated all elected political officeholders, saying they deserved the joy of victory after winning the elections on February 25.
However, the embattled APC chairman admitted that the polls that produced them were flawed.
"I heartily congratulate all the distinguished men and women elected," he said. I salute each and every one of you. You are the new Nigeria team. The burden of our national unity, peace, and development will fall on your shoulders as a team beginning May 29 this year.
"It is both fair and honourable to admit that the February 25 elections were flawed. We did not set out to hold flawless elections.
"There have been no perfect elections in history. We set out, like all other democratic nations, to hold free, fair, and credible elections. This is what we did.
"I am proud to say that we accomplished this feat and fulfilled President Muhammadu Buhari's promise to the people. For the first time in living memory, there were no allegations of vote-buying or outrage over any other ills associated with the conduct of our elections. Rigging isn't dead, but it's been decapitated. Our democracy is maturing, and we are evolving alongside it.
"According to the results of the February 25, 2023 general elections announced thus far by the electoral umpire, INEC, the APC won the presidency clean and clear, as well as a majority in both chambers of the National Assembly.
"We chose not to oust the other political parties because they are our partners in the advancement and development of our country."
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