Former President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo have explained why they didn’t attend the National Caucus and National Executive Council (NEC) meetings of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

The caucus meeting was held on Wednesday August 2 at the Presidential Villa while the NEC meeting was held on Thursday August 3 at Transcorp Hilton.

Buhari, according to his spokesman, Garba Shehu, stated that he was unavailable for the meetings due to commitment earlier made to scheduled event.

Osinbajo gave the same explanation.

According to Shehu, “Former President Muhammadu Buhari has explained his inability to be present at the caucus meeting and the national executive committee meetings of the 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.”

On his part, Osinbajo, in a letter of apology addressed to the Acting Chairman of the APC, a copy of which was made available to The Star by his media office on Wednesday, reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, saying he was already abroad for engagements to which he had long been committed when he received the invitation to the meeting.

He noted that he cancelled some of his engagements abroad to be available for the two previously scheduled caucus meetings of the ruling party which were later postponed.

The former Vice President, who wished the APC fruitful deliberations, expressed his fidelity to the party and his availability for future meetings and activities.

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the immediate past governor of Kano State, emerged as the National Chairman of APC at the NEC meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and others in attendance.

The Star