Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has officially declared his intention to contest the presidential election in 2023.
Adams Oshiomhole Joins Presidential Race
The former Edo governor, declared his bid at an event in Abuja on Wednesday, said he was not contesting to lament the imperfections in the country, but to set Nigeria on the path of greatness.
He said, “I have come here this afternoon for one purpose to formally declare that I, Adams Oshiomhole, hereby declare with confidence my desire to contest for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of a party that we co-founded — All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I think the challenges we face today are very clear to me. Having being president of the Nigeria Labour Congress for eight years through a democratic process and I had the opportunity to speak truth to power and to engage power.
“I believe many of you who are of my age or 40 years and a little less than that will have memories of those days, we spoke truth to power about policies whether they were economic policies, social policies, healthcare policies among others.”
Oshiomhole noted that the economy of the country remained an issue, despite the effort of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration.
He said the issue of poverty, insecurity and unemployment are interrelated, saying one does not have to be a professor to know poverty, unemployment breeds insecurity.
According to him, “I want Nigeria to be described as the smartest country on the continent under my presidency.”
“I want to declare that I will do everything possible to engage not just ASUU, but all stakeholders to ensure the academic calendar is maintained,” he assured.
His declaration is coming a few hours after Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi also joined the growing list of APC presidential hopefuls for the 2023 election.