The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is looking for educated Nigerians to contest in the 2023 general elections.
The leader of the party, President Muhammadu Buhari, had been accused of not having the Cambridge West African School Certificate Ordinary Level he claimed he obtained in 1961.
Buhari, however, had defended himself, insisting he attended the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, and sat the University of Cambridge/WASSCE examination, with examination number 8280002 (which he reportedly passed in the Second Division).
Similarly, in 1999, its National Leader, Bola Tinubu, was accused of not attending Chicago State University as indicated in his INEC form 001 filled when he contested Lagos governorship.
Tinubu, a national leader of the ruling party also refuted the allegation.
Perhaps, to avoid issues surrounding fielding illiterate candidates, the party urged its educated members to gear up for the next elections.
“We are looking for educated people to contest for every available position in Nigeria. At this time, if you don’t succeed, you will be compensated.
“You must contest. Women must contest; that Disabled people must contest. Young professionals must contest.
“Rest assured, the chairman is a listening man, and what we will do to enhance you, we will do it,” said John Akpanudoedehe, Secretary of the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He spoke at an event organised by the APC Professionals’ Forum at the party’s national secretariat to showcase the achievements of Mr Buhari’s regime.
Akpanudoedehe, who represented Governor Mai Mala Buni, the CECPC chairman at the event, thanked the forum for enlightening Nigerians on the achievements, programmes and policies of Buhari.
NAN