Why Buhari Was Absent at APC NEC Meeting – Garba Shehu

Former President Muhammadu Buhari was absent from the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja due to a late invitation, his spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, has revealed.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, was presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and attended by top party figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, governors, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC). However, Buhari, along with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, was notably absent.

Speaking to BBC Hausa, Shehu explained that while Buhari was expected to attend, the invitation reached him too late for him to make the journey from Daura to Abuja. “President Muhammadu Buhari is not a caucus member of the party. He was supposed to attend the NEC meeting, but unfortunately, the invitation was sent on Monday and only reached him on Tuesday. Even if he had a private jet, it would have been difficult for him to make the trip on such short notice,” Shehu said.

Despite his absence, Shehu emphasized that Buhari remains committed to the APC and its leadership. “Buhari is a founding member of the APC. He was nominated by the party for president twice. He remains a member of the APC even though he did not attend the meeting,” he added.