Senator Lawali Shuaibu is the Deputy National Chairman (North) of All Progressives Congress, APC and a one time minority leader of the Senate. In this interview, Shuaibu explains how the APC achieved the feat of winning the presidency and the majority of governorships. Excerpts:

By Emmanuel Aziken,  Political Editor

How did the APC achieve the feat of winning the presidency and the majority of governorships?

It was a phenomenon. It was something which we considered the work of God because it couldn’t ordinarily have been by our own efforts alone. Yes, our efforts could have counted, but I must tell you we were taken by surprise especially, the level of support that General Buhari enjoys in this country.

What do you think motivated the people to come out to support Buhari?

There is this perception of Buhari of being Nigeria’s Mr. Fix It! His main asset has been his integrity, people believe in his leadership and people believe that he can correct all the corrupt mistakes committed by past leaders.

Corruption in the land

People also believe that he has a capacity to turn around the economy of this country by addressing the issue of corruption in the land. You can’t fault that idea. The country was sinking and the general perception was that only Buhari could bring the country back from sinking.

You say people believe, but do you believe that Buhari can do all these?

When I say Buhari, I am talking about Buhari as the leader and he alone cannot do it. Buhari will put in place a competent team that can do it. That is why he has said that it is not a government of favours, favours of appointments. No, appointments into government is going to be mainly on the basis of competence, people who are qualified and are competent to do it and people who have the will to really do the work without compromise.

For 16 years, you have been in the opposition at the national level. How does it feel like going to the other side?

Lawali Shuaibu

I have also asked myself and I remember telling my colleagues in the National Working Committee that we have to be a little careful this time because we are now the hunted and no more the hunters.

We should be very careful in attracting criticisms, we have to device a way of conducting ourselves in such a way and manner that we are not criticised like we have spent so long time criticising the PDP. How does it feel? I really don’t know how it feels because we are still in the process of government formation and until our government takes off, I will not have a feeling of being in politics belonging to a ruling party.

There are mutterings over the delay in the sharing of party offices. What is wrong?

It is actually taking time and it is not as if we are not aware of that. But then, it is always better to do things right no matter how long it takes than to do it several times and all the time coming back to correct mistakes. We actually, are very conscious of that.

So, how soon will this be resolved?

It is going to be very soon. We will finish all the foundation laying exercises before May 29.

Nigerians have a high expectation from the coming government. Do you think the incoming government can meet it?

It is the majority of the people of Nigerians that have given the mandate. When the government enjoys the cooperation and patience of Nigerians, I tell you we will overcome all these challenges.

We are very much aware that the challenges are very high and we are fully aware that even within the system that the rot is very deep but I can assure you, when we have competent people to do it and Nigerians become patient with the government, I tell you we can overcome these challenges in no time.

The South-South and the Southeast seem lost out in the APC. In what way is your party hoping to integrate them into the system?

You see, it is not as if we don’t members and leaders from the South-South and Southeast. We do have them. The thing is if they don’t get elective offices, there are appointments to be made and I assure you, we are going to treat them very fairly, they must be carried along, they worked hard.

I am yet to see a politician who will lose election deliberately. They did their best but unfortunately what transpired in the South-South and Southeast was something that we still have reservations on. No matter what, our members and leaders will still be carried along in the government after May 29.