Dangote turns down PDP’s offer to run in 2019 presidential race
- Dangote says he is a businessman and not a politician and his name should not be tied to politics
- The business mogul says even if he joined politics, he would never contest against President Buhari who is like a father to him
- Dangote says he is more concerned about his business projects and empowering Nigerians through creating jobs
Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has rejected moves by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to get him to contest in the 2019 presidential race on its platform.
According to Daily Times, Dangote declared categorically in a phone interview that he has no interest in politics and nobody or party should tie him to it.
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He said: “I am an entrepreneur. My passion is to create jobs for Nigerians and not otherwise.
“I am not interested in politics and this is authoritative. No member of any think tank committee has contacted me. People should stop dropping my name for the 2019 presidency.”
Dangote also alleged that some people were peddling the rumours to bring him on collision course with President Buhari.
He said: “This whole thing is an attempt by people who do not like me. They are doing all these with a view to putting me on a collision course with President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party. They are people who are jealous of the successes I have so far recorded in business.
“My passion is for business development, provision of jobs and wealth creation, not politics.
“I have never shown interest in politics. Am not interested in politics. I am not a politician. My passion has always been business and business.
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“Buhari is like a father to me. Nobody should try to set me on a collision course with President Buhari. That will not work. I have high regard and respect for the President.
“For emphasis once again, I am not a politician. I can’t and won’t confront President Buhari. They should leave him out of any high wire politics and horse trading. I also seize this opportunity to warn name droppers to desist from their infamous act. They should stop using my name for politics. They should not set me on collision course with President Buhari and the government in power.”
Dangote said: “By the time the ongoing Dangote refinery in Lagos and the sugar projects come on stream fully, there will be a great positive development and thousands of jobs created that will change the narrative in the country. That is my passion”.
Recall that Legit.ng had reported that indications emerged recently that the PDP might be settling for Africa's most richest man Dangote for its 2019 presidential campaigns.
Legit.ng gathered that the party, having zoned the presidency to north, also has its national chairmanship slot for the south.
A PDP source said the party's decision to reach out to Dangote came with its focus to win the 2019 presidential election.
Watch this Legit.ng TV video of Nigerians sharing their opinions on who they will vote in 2019 election between Fayose and Buhari
Source: Legit.ng
