2015: Atiku declares for presidency

…decries ‘serious governance deficit’ in Nigeria

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday declared his intention to run for the presidency under the banner of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2015 presidential election.

Making the declaration in Abuja, Abubakar said government has a responsibility to do everything possible to halt the on-going dehumanisation of Nigerians, adding that Nigeria has a serious governance deficit.

Describing his passion for governance as that of a man who wants to do more because there is so much more to be done in fixing Nigeria, the former Vice- President to former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007 said: “I want to lead a government that will create ‘A Nigeria for All.’ A Nigeria that is not about North or South, Christian or Muslim, but about a better tomorrow where every citizen will feel secured

“This is the change we want and deserve and this is the change the APC wants to offer. And that is why I am a proud member of this platform for change.

“To fix Nigeria, an APC government will promote a new socio-political order which will compel the leadership to always balance power and authority with service and accountability.”

He said that he wants to lead a government that would rebuild institutions of governance with zero tolerance for corruption and nepotism, where hard work and dedication are adequately rewarded.

Abubakar also said that the glaring mismatch between our potential and our achievements had become for many a frustrating puzzle, for others a topic for national debate; and yet to another group, doomsday lament.

He said: “I want to assemble the best brains in the land and provide the political will and commitment so that jointly, and with the cooperation of all of you, build a Nigeria of our dreams.

“In spite of the many challenges we face, it is quite remarkable that our people have refused to give up on Nigeria. It is inspiring that amidst difficulties and growing anxiety over the future of our country, our people have refused to succumb to despair and hopelessness.”

Abubakar explained that the APC, at its inception in July 2013, offered a great hope for many Nigerians as a potent alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, assuring Nigerians that APC remains strong and capable of fulfilling the nation’s thirst for change, adding that it shall do so, united across regions, religions and generations.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, and other APC leaders in attendance also pledged their solidarity and support for the former vice president, saying that “Nigeria must rise to retake its leadership place in Africa and earn the respect of other nations. This places on us the responsibility of stewardship.”

Expressing optimism that APC will form the next government in 2015, Akume called on APC members to support whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate at the party’s national convention scheduled for December 2, 2014.

He said: “We want to reconstruct an already deconstructed nation,” insisting that he and others who left the PDP have no regret leaving the party.

Apart from hundreds of APC members and supporters who came from all over the country to witness the declaration, members of the National Executive Council, NEC, of the party, its National Assembly members and other party leaders were in attendance at the declaration.