President Muhammadu Buhari has cleared the air over a third term agenda, saying he can’t afford has no plans to remain in power after 2023 elections.

President Buhari who spoke at the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, asked members to begin preparation for the next party conference in the next 18 months.

He charged party members to dominate their constituencies, taunting the 16 senators who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prior to the 2019 general election for failing to secure a re-election.

Also speaking at the meeting, National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole said the 16 senators thought their defection could bring down the party, but they were punished by Nigerians who re-elected the party into power.

Mr Oshiomhole added that the party is looking forward to the last senator out of the 16, losing his seat to the APC in a few months time.

Meanwhile, the police dispersed two protesting groups who clashed at the entrance of the APC headquarters, prior to the NEC meeting.

A pro and an anti-Oshiomhole group clashed throwing dangerous objects at themselves, leaving passers-by within the vicinity to scamper for safety, while occupants of houses and offices hurriedly shut their entrances.

The drama started when a media briefing organised by the anti-Oshiomhole group was disrupted by another group, which stoked the attacks.

However, normalcy has returned to the area after the police dispersed the groups with canisters of teargas.

No casualty was recorded in the fracas.

•Credit (except headline): Channels TV.