Buhari Explains Absence From APC Caucus Meeting

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has provided an explanation for his absence from the All Progressives Congress, or APC, caucus meeting.

The defence was contained in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, noting that his principal was unavailable due to some other commitments.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Caucus meetings of the ruling APC were set for August 2 and 3, respectively.

The national caucus meeting took place at the presidential villa on Wednesday, while the NEC summit took place at Transcorp Hilton today (Thursday).

The statement reads, “Former President Muhammadu Buhari has explained his inability to be present at the caucus meeting and the national executive committee, NEC, meetings of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to which he has been invited.

“He has conveyed his apologies, indicating that he is unable to attend due to commitments earlier made.

“The former president used the opportunity to express his support and commitment to the party, at the same time wishing it a good meeting, as the leaders take decisions on issues of importance to the party and the nation.”

Earlier, Empire reported that Laolu Akande, the spokesman of the former vice president in a statement said Osinbajo was unable to attend the event on Wednesday because he was away from Nigeria.

Osinbajo said he has been committed to many assignments outside the country. The statement partly read, “In a letter of apology for his absence addressed to the Acting Chairman of the party (Abubakar Kyari), the former VP explained that he was already abroad for engagements to which he had long been committed when he received the invitation to the meeting.”

“He had in fact cancelled some of his engagements abroad to be available for the two previously scheduled caucus meetings of the party which had to be postponed due to exigencies.

“While wishing the party fruitful deliberations, he expressed his commitment to the Party and his availability for future meetings and activities of the party.”