By Akinwande Soji-Ojo

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has officially declared his intention to run for President in 2023, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fayemi made her statement at the Convention Center at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday.

Fayemi, who is the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), said he did not take the decision to become president easily, promising to ensure youth empowerment when he becomes president.

He promised to take a holistic approach in tackling insecurity, providing jobs for the youth, broad reforms through diversification and productivity, and expanding revenue mobilization.

The dice are now cast. I embark on this journey with the determination to play my part until the end,” he said.

The governor also promised to tackle the national issue by embarking on a restructuring and institutionalizing a holistic approach so that the government and its services are closer to the people.

Describing himself as a beacon of hope, Fayemi said Nigeria had the opportunity to make choices that will promote peace, unity and national prosperity.

“Compatriots, it is in the spirit of this unshakeable faith in our country and the promise of its unfulfilled greatness that I stand before you today, in all humility and with all sense of responsibility, to declare solemnly to all within our party and to Nigerians at large, my decision to accept my name for consideration by the leadership and membership of the APC as the flag bearer of the party in the upcoming contest for succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It was not a decision I took lightly. Indeed, to get to this point, I went through a long and deep introspection with the help of my wife, Bisi, and other members of my family, my friends, my political associates and professional colleagues.

“I have also traveled the length and breadth of our country to consult and explore with our esteemed elder statesmen and women, traditional leaders, a cross section of party leaders and rank and file members, and various leaders of non-partisan opinion and opinion,” Fayemi said.

He urged Nigerians to avoid debilitating pessimism and turn the current challenges into an opportunity for a fundamental national reset and a major leap forward in national affairs.

“Programmatically, as the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I will lead the implementation of a holistic and integrated response to the multifaceted security crises we face. To this end, the reorganization of our armed forces, our intelligence services and our border guards will continue in parallel with an overhaul of our police system and the progressive establishment of bold universal social policies that will allow us to fight resolutely against poverty and to enhance human capital and security. In this perspective, the deliberate expansion of employment opportunities, youth empowerment, among others,” he said.

Two documentaries focusing on Fayemi’s profile as a journalist, pro-democracy activist, politician and administrator were shown to the public.

The event was attended by Senator Lawan Shuaibu; Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Deputy Governor of Ekiti State; Bisi Egbeyemi; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye; former Senate President Ahmed Ebute; Biodun Oyebanji, APC Governor candidate of Ekiti State; his running mate; Monisade Afuye, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Modupe Adelabu; and former Oyo State Deputy Governor Barr. Iyiola Oladokun; Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe Aladesanmi; and Professor Banji Aluko.

Speaking, Senator Shuaibu welcomed Fayemi’s entry into the race, describing him as a serious person who is not frivolous.

“He is a man of great integrity, an activist, an administrator, a builder of bridges, a pan-Nigerian and a representative of the young intelligentsia. Nigeria is for Fayemi and Fayemi is for Nigeria,” Shuaibu said.

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