The immediate past Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has formally declared his intention to contest for the office of president in the 2023 general election with a promise to provide a leadership that will galvanize Nigeria to achieve its manifest destiny as a leader in Africa.
Amosun who is the current senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly made this known in a letter to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and read during Wednesday’s plenary.
The letter is titled “Notification and invitation to the formal declaration of contest for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress APC.”
Amosun’s declaration is coming a day after the Cross Rivers State, Ben Ayade, notified President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to contest the presidential seat in 2023 and further adds to the growing list of politicians who have declared their intention to vie for Nigeria’s number one position under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
What Senator Amosun is saying in the letter
The letter from Amosun reads, “It is with greatest respect I write to notify you and my distinguished colleagues of my intention to contest for the office of the President of our dear country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to respectfully invite you and my distinguished colleagues to the formal declaration ceremony.
“I have been blessed by God to serve as senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 2003 and 2007 and as a two-term Governor of Ogun between 2011 and 2019.
“I have also had the privilege to be elected a second time to the Senate of the Federal Republic in 2019 where I currently serve the good people of Ogun Central Senatorial District.
“My varied experience in private and public life has given me the requisite insights, experiences and network of relationships adequate to provide a leadership that will galvanise our dear country to achieve its manifest destiny as leader in Africa and of the black race.
“I will be honoured with your esteemed presence and that of my distinguished colleagues at the declaration event,” slated for Thursday, May 5, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, at 11.00 a.m.’’
What you should know
- Some of the top politicians that have shown interest in the office of president in the 2023 general election under the APC platform include former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; a former Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha; former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, among others.
- Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River had yesterday visited President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the Nigerian leader had given him the go-ahead to contest for the post.
- Also, there are speculations that former President Goodluck Jonathan will soon declare his intention.
There is a pattern I have noticed in presidential politics in general. At first it is always a pool of political goons which I think it is deliberate. I am sure some of them will opt-out early next year. We jut hope we find the right candidate, if there is any.