During a meeting with members of the Progressive Governors Forum led by their Chairman, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his belief that the All Progressives Congress (APC) worked diligently to secure their victory in the recent elections. The President’s spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed this statement in a press release.

The President went on to attribute the opposition’s defeat to overconfidence, stating that the combined opposition was a victim of their own complacency. According to the President, the opposition party was overconfident in their chances of winning the election and this ultimately led to their downfall.

He said: “They were already telling their foreign backers that they would defeat the APC. Our Party blended confidence with caution, we worked hard and won.

”Now, their over confidence is creating more problems for the opposition than anyone else.

”They are finding it hard to convince those who supported them from outside why they are unable to beat us.

“A combination of over confidence, complacency and bad tactical moves made them lose, plain and clear. This has created more problems in their camp. Why did they fail to remove us?”

In his response to an issue raised by Bagudu, the leader of the Forum, Buhari stated:

“An important reason I congratulate Asiwaju on winning is because the opposition got support and false hope from outside and went on to create the impression that they will win, that they will defeat us. How more wrong could anyone be?” he asked.

The President urged the Progressive Governors to remain united and tackle any issues that arise among them with openness.

“Try and keep solving problems. Be courageous to discuss them openly between yourselves. This is the best way to survive politically in Nigeria.

”You (Governors) have a programme to meet regularly and to discuss issues and how to maintain the Party nationwide,” he added.

During the meeting with the Progressive Governors Forum, President Buhari provided additional information regarding his plans for retirement. He stated that he would spend six months at home in Daura before eventually relocating to Kaduna. The President went on to express gratitude to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State for the infrastructure developments that have been implemented in the region. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Kano State Governor in improving the state’s infrastructure.

The Chairman of the Forum, Atiku Bagudu, explained that their visit was intended to wish the President a happy Sallah and to express appreciation for the leadership he had provided for the Party and the nation. The meeting was the group’s first since the elections, and they took the opportunity to congratulate the President on the APC’s victory in the Presidential Polls.

The Progressive Governors Forum is made up of governors who belong to the All Progressives Congress party. The group works to foster unity and cooperation among the APC governors and promote the party’s goals and objectives.

“Congratulations, your Party won the Presidency, a majority in the Senate and for being the leading Party in the House of Representatives.

”These successes would not have happened without your support.

“History will remember you kindly. Around the world, the election is being celebrated because of the turbulence in the region and in the developing world, all courtesy of your leadership.

”We won by sheer hard work, the same thing you have always encouraged us to do. We thank you immensely for everything,” he added.

The following governors attended the meeting alongside Kebbi: Plateau, Imo, Kwara, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kogi, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Jigawa, Katsina, Ogun, and Nasarawa. The meeting also had the presence of the Deputy Governors of Kano, Gombe, Borno, and Ebonyi. Additionally, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, was in attendance as well. (NAN)