As part of efforts to douse the tension in the polity, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with the leadership of the two leading parties in the country, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, at the Aso Rock, Abuja.
The meeting is the first of its kind of meeting since the inception of the Buhari led administration coming on the heels of insinuations by some members of the opposition that the President was in a vegetative state and an ensuing exchange of vindictive speeches between the two leading parties.
In his remarks, President Buhari said the meeting was a symbol of National Unity and not a political one. He however, reminded the opposition party that opposition was not hostility, enmity or antagonism as a democracy needed a vibrant opposition.
President Buhari last Saturday returned from a medical vacation in London where he spent over 100 days recovering from an undisclosed ailment. In his broadcast, on Monday the President read a riot act to trouble makers saying he was back to tackle forces threatening the country’s unity adding that his government will deal with those fuelling calls for the disintegration of the country.
At the opening of the meeting which lasted just about 30 minutes, the President shook hands with members of both parties led by their chairmen, John Oyegun and Ahmed Makarfi respectively, and made small jokes.
“This visit signifies the unity of Nigeria. It is not a party occasion. It is not a political gathering. It is a symbol of our
National Unity. It is also an expression of the maturity of our democracy.
“Multi-party democracy is a very tried and tested form of government. Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism. Democracy needs opposition, one which is vibrant but responsible” he said.
He thanked them “collectively and individually” for finding the to come and welcome him back to the country and asked them to thank their members who prayed for his recovery. He implored them to continue praying for the peace and prosperity of Nigeria.
In his remarks, the PDP chairman pledged the commitment of the party to government programmes “sincerely designed” to take the country to higher levels. He said the party was offering to assist the government in its fight against corruption so that the Nigerian institutions can be strengthened. Makarfi also told the President that the PDP, the
country’s strongest opposition had prayed for his recovery stating that opposition is not madness and therefore no one wished him evil.
“let me seize this opportunity to assure you, and through you, the entire country, that the PDP having assumed the leadership of the opposition in this country, is poised to play that role energetically, vibrantly, but very decently and with all sense of responsibility. This we shall do by giving you a good run for your money and constantly keeping you on your toes as we all strive to make this country better
“We assure you of our cooperation as much as the opposition can possibly give to enable you give your best in the process navigating the ship of our state into of a better tomorrow. We are glad to note that already the legislators of our party are cooperating with those of the majority party in both arms of the National Assembly to ensure a smooth legislative sail for the system.
“Mr President, I want to reiterate our offer and assurances of PDP’s cooperation with the government on any programme sincerely designed to take Nigeria to higher levels. We identify with and will continue to support the fight against terrorism as well as other crimes that have sneaked into our consciousness like kidnapping and banditry, as well
as farmers/herdsmen clashes and other crimes camouflaged as such and all other anti-social vices that slow down our nation’s wheels of progress.
“We also offer our support for the fight against corruption and appeal that the institutions saddled with this onerous task be given a necessary encouragement and independence to do the right thing. This will help in further strengthening our institutions and insulating them from undue political interferences.
“It is on record Mr President that while you were away, being the major position party in the country did not stop us from praying for your quick recovery and return to Nigeria. This is because we honestly believe that the President of our country, whatever party flag he or she flies, is our president; and his or her health, is substantially linked with the nation’s health in so many ways.
“So a prayer for your health Mr President, we believe is a prayer for the good health of our country. was why at several fora, we did, and enjoined others, irrespective of party affiliation, to pray for your quick recovery. It is a thing of joy, that Allah has answered our prayers. In any case this PDP firmly believes that opposition is no madness; it will therefore never wish ill of anybody, let alone the person saddled with the responsibility of leading our country” Makarfi said in his speech.
In response, the APC chairman, said by the congregation of the meeting the President had “sent out a message that he’s President of all Nigerians, regardless of party/religion/ethnicity”. He thanked the President for receiving the two parties, despite all the invectives thrown around and added that he “hoped that this gesture will permeate the polity”.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the party caucus from both sides, were at the meeting.
