2023: I’ll Decentralise Governance if Elected President, Says Fayemi
- Kayode Fayemi, an influential Nigerian governor, has joined the long list of APC chieftains running for president in 2023
- The Ekiti state governor said his entry into the race will offer Nigerians the opportunity to examine competing visions for national rebirth
- Fayemi who is also a former minister of mines and steel, said with his candidacy for president, help is on the way for Nigeria
FCT, Abuja - Ekiti state governor, Dr. Kayode John Fayemi says he will decentralise governance if elected as Nigeria's next president.
Fayemi, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) made the comment while announcing his presidential ambition under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, May 4 in Abuja.
Source: Twitter
He also expressed confidence in picking the APC presidential ticket either by direct or indirect primary election.
Fayemi said his entry into the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari will offer APC members and Nigerians the opportunity to examine competing visions for national rebirth in the best interest of our country.
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His words:
“Compatriots, it is in the spirit of this abiding faith in our country and the promise of its unfinished greatness that I stand before you today, in total humility and with all sense of responsibility, to solemnly declare to all our party cadres and Nigerians at large, my decision to accept for my name to be put forward for consideration by the APC leadership and membership as the party’s standard-bearer in the upcoming contest for a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This is not a decision which I have taken lightly. Indeed, to arrive at this point, I carried out a long and deep self-introspection with the help of close family, friends, and colleagues, including my wife and devoted partner, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.
“I have also traversed the length and breadth of our country to consult and explore with our esteemed elder statesmen and women, traditional rulers, a cross-section of party leaders and rank and file members, and various non-partisan leaders of thought and opinion.
“And it is on the foundation of a clear vision accompanied by a carefully thought out programme of action that I present my candidature.
“I do so fully convinced on the basis of what I have experienced, heard, and seen about the demands of the times and the aspirations of our people that the agenda that I am proposing for our country is one which will find favour with APC members and win resounding traction with the generality of Nigerians.”
Speaking on his agenda for Nigeria, the Ekiti governor proposed an integrated security system to solve the challenges of insecurity confronting the country.
He said:
“To give full effect to this, concrete programmes of action will be launched in priority areas that will allow for a revamping of the credibility of the Nigerian state, the promotion of an enhanced social contract, and the revamping of the national identity.
“Programmatically, as the standard-bearer of the APC, I will be leading the implementation of a holistic and integrated response to the multifaceted security crises confronting us.
“To this end, the retooling of our armed forces, intelligence agencies, and border guards will be pursued in tandem with an overhaul of our policing system and the phasing in of bold universal social policies that will enable us decisively to tackle poverty and upgrade human capital and security.”
Speaking on how to tackle impunity, Fayemi said Nigerian leaders lack the courage to do what is right.
His words:
“What is also lacking in Nigeria is the leadership, the courage to do what is right. Some people consider themselves as principalities and people who believe that they are the owners of this country, and then do whatever they like. They also believe that the law can not catch up with them.”
On the mode of the primary election he will prefer, Fayemi said:
“President Buhari is known for his passion for every member of the party having a say in the decision that affects the party so, in that sense, I have no problem staking a claim to a primary process, whether it's indirect or direct. I don't have a problem with that.”
2023: Former Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun joins presidential race
In a related development, a former governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun recently joined the 2023 presidential race under the platform of the ruling APC.
Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, made this known during plenary in the red chambers on Wednesday, May 27.
Dr. Lawan read a letter of notification from the senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, announcing his intention to contest for the office of the president.
2023: Group holds rally in Abuja, calls for transparent presidential primary
Meanwhile, the APC Youth Development and Solidarity Forum recently tasked the party’s new leadership to consolidate on its rancour-free national convention to conduct a free and fair presidential primary.
To stand a chance at next year’s general elections, the group said the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led executives must ensure that the party parades its most popular aspirant as a presidential candidate.
The forum made this known at a one-day rally in Abuja on Thursday, April 14 to congratulate Senator Abdullahi Adamu and his team.
Source: Legit.ng
