Former President Muhammadu Buhari has explained why he couldn’t attend the caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that the APC had fixed August 2 and 3 to hold its national caucus and national executive committee (NEC) meetings, respectively.
While the national caucus gathering was held at the presidential villa on Wednesday, party leaders will converge in Transcorp Hilton for the NEC meeting on Thursday (today).
But speaking in a statement on Wednesday, Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu said his principal was unable to attend the caucus meeting due to commitments he earlier made.
He added that the former president apologised for his absence at the sit-down and expressed his support and commitment to the party.
“Former President Muhammadu Buhari has explained his inability to be present at the caucus meeting and the national executive committee, NEC, meetings of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to which he has been invited,” the statement reads.
“He has conveyed his apologies, indicating that he is unable to attend due to commitments earlier made.
“The former president used the opportunity to express his support and commitment to the party, at the same time wishing it a good meeting, as the leaders take decisions on issues of importance to the party and the nation.”
On July 17, the ruling party announced the suspension of its planned national caucus and national NEC meetings.
Abubakar Kyari, acting national chairman of the APC, spoke after an emergency gathering of the party’s national working committee (NWC).
The NWC sit-down which was held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja was called after the “resignation” of Abdullahi Adamu and Iyiola Omisore as the national chairman and national secretary of the ruling party, respectively.
Kyari said the change in the party’s leadership necessitated the postponement of the meetings.