On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari said that overconfidence cost the opposition candidates the 2023 presidential election.
At the State House, Buhari told the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) led by Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu.
The President’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) fought hard to preserve power and mixed confidence with prudence.
Buhari said the opposition candidates told their foreign donors they would beat the APC, but now they need help explaining why they lost the presidential election.
He said: “They were already informing their foreign backers that they would beat the APC. Our Party worked hard and triumphed. Their overconfidence hurts the opposition more than anybody else, and they’re having trouble convincing outside supporters why they can’t beat us.
They lost due to overconfidence, complacency, and poor tactics. This has exacerbated camp issues. Why weren’t we removed?
“I congratulate Asiwaju on winning since the opposition received outside backing and false optimism and went on to create the idea that they would win and beat us. Who could be wronger?”
The President also urged APC governors to collaborate and be brave enough to discuss challenges.
He added: “Keep fixing difficulties. Discuss them honestly. It’s Nigeria’s best political strategy.
I also encourage governors to meet periodically to discuss challenges and how to preserve the Party countrywide.
Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Mohammed Badaru of Jigawa, Ben Ayade of Cross River, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina, and Yahaya Bello of Kogi attended the meeting.
Dapo Abiodun, Biodun Oyebanji, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman are others.
Boss Mustapha and the Deputy Governors of Kano, Gombe, Borno, and Ebonyi were present.