by Azeez Adeniyi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have said it is not mandatory for President Muhammadu Buhari to preside over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai said this while addressing journalists on the outcome of the governors’ meeting with members of the national working committee (NWC) of the ruling party.

The governor said the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was empowered by the constitution to preside over such meeting.

El-Rufai said APC governors were not bothered about the speculations that Buhari had been absent from FEC meetings because he was ill.

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“We are not worried yet and have no reason to be worried, but we however, urge Nigerians to continue to pray for the president to be in good health,” he said.

He said it was normal for the President to have health issues at his age.

“Even me that is 57 years old, I still go for medical check-up,” El-Rufai said.

He denies reports of internal crisis within the APC, stating that the party was intact with a unified leadership structure.

El-Rufai explained that the reason the party was presently constrained financially was because it did not rely on public funds to operate like some parties in government.

He said the party was funded by private and cooperate donors.

The governor said the meeting discussed best incentives to reward loyal party members, in line with its constitution.

He said a date would be picked for the party`s national executive council meeting at the governors next meeting with the NWC members.