Opposition Parties Suffered Overconfidence During The 2023 Election – President Buhari.

President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari has emphasized that while the opposition parties’ combined overconfidence was a major factor in their defeat, the All Progressive Congress (APC) was working hard to maintain control throughout the recent elections. 

The President stated, “They were already telling their foreign backers that they would defeat the APC,” when hosting the Progressive Governors Forum, led by its chairman, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, at his residence in the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.  As a result of our Party’s careful balance of assurance and prudence, we succeeded.   Now more than anyone else, their arrogance is causing issues for the opposition. 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?

When Governor Bagudu, the Forum’s leader, brought up a concern, President Buhari responded, “A significant reason I congratulate Asiwaju on winning is that 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 could anyone be more wrong? He queried. 

The Progressive Governors were tasked by the President with remaining united and openly discussing their problems. 

Try to continue resolving issues. Be bold and have frank discussions about them among yourselves.  The President emphasized that “you (Governors) have a program to meet frequently and to discuss issues and how to maintain the Party nationwide. This is the best way to survive politically in Nigeria.” 

In a lengthy speech regarding his retirement plan, President Buhari stated that he planned to stay at home in Daura for six months before eventually relocating to Kaduna. 

He commended Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for building the infrastructure that will improve life for him in retirement and for residents of the state, noting that Kano State Governor Muhammadu Buhari had also done the same. 

The visit, according to the Chairman, Atiku Bagudu, was ostensibly to wish the President “Happy Sallah” and to express gratitude for the leadership he has provided for the Party and the country. 

The President was congratulated on the Party’s success in the Presidential Polls during their first meeting together since the elections. They said, “Congratulations, your Party won the Presidency, a majority in the Senate, and for being the leading Party in the House of Representatives. Without your assistance, these accomplishments would not have been possible. 

“History will think well of you.  Because of the unrest in the area and in the developing world—all thanks to your leadership—the election is being celebrated all across the world. We achieved our success through pure effort, just as you had always urged us to.  We sincerely appreciate everything,” he continued. 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the Deputy Governors of Kano, Gombe, Borno, and Ebonyi were there.