Buhari carpets his critics, APC chieftains who joined PDP

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Daura said the combined efforts
of defectors and their supporters in the opposition will not distract
his administration from the good work it is doing for the benefit and
development of Nigeria.

Many top members of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),
have defected to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in recent weeks.

But Buhari insisted that APC has the full understanding of Nigeria's
challenges and is encouraged by the support of Nigerians in addressing
them.

The President spoke at a lunch with some APC Governors accompanied by
some members of the National and State Assemblies and commissioners.

"We are always encouraged when all our constituents are happy with the
work we are doing and our genuine efforts to make sure that what we
campaigned for in 2015 is still very much in our minds and we have not
lost focus.

"In terms of security, economy and the fight against corruption, we
have maintained focus. Even the opposition with all their resources
cannot fault our identification of Nigeria's priorities and the
efforts being made to better them.

"We will continue to do what we ought to do in the leadership position
God has placed us and we thank the constituents for the support," he
said.

On the defections within the major political parties, the President
reiterated his earlier message to them: ''for those who have decided
to change camp for whatever reason, we wish them good luck.''

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the
Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State
commended the President for his great efforts in keeping the nation
together through visionary leadership.

He noted that President Buhari had remained focused and unshaken by
situations and circumstances, adding that, ''it shows that your
administration is approved by God.''

Okorocha told the President, ''We are here to encourage you to keep
doing what you are doing as Nigerians are very pleased with you.

''We also want to inform you that we had wonderful and peaceful Sallah
celebration across the country because of security of lives and
property you have guaranteed in our nation.''

Governor Okorocha was accompanied by the Governors of Katsina, Kebbi,
Kano and Niger States.