Yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would continue to enlarge its coast by receiving more opposition governors, lawmakers and other coalition members.
He explained that the priority accorded to defectors to the ruling party had compelled the shifting of the national convention till December.
Urging party chieftains to widen the space to accommodate the new members, the President emphasised the need to give them a sense of belonging.
President Tinubu spoke on the prospects of more defections to the APC during the 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
At the meeting, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was unanimously elected as National Chairman.
The Plateau State-born technocrat succeeded Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned last month on health grounds.
Yilwatda, who accepted the challenge of leadership, promised to embark on a mission to reposition the party.
Exuding pride and confidence, President Tinubu, who expressed delight at the APC’s rising profile, said: “More governors are still coming. That’s why we shifted our convention to December.
“Our doors are wide open, and we must accommodate them all.
“They must be allowed to jump out from a wrecking ship and a coalition of confusion.
“Today, we have 23 governors, and many more are still coming. We must accommodate them all.
“Our doors are still open, and we should embrace them wholeheartedly.
“With the space that you have created to allow the aspiring people to join us, before the end of this meeting, we might form a committee to move around the states and ensure that those who have joined us enjoy the registration and membership of our party without any difficulty.
“I urge all the members of our great party, APC, to develop a spirit of inclusion and accommodate all those willing to join our party. It is necessary. Our door must remain open.”
President Tinubu paid tribute to Ganduje for his service to the party, adding that he still has unfinished tasks.
