In a public address recently, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, Governor of Ekiti State, has disclosed his mission to defeat the incumbent President come 2019. He stated this during his official declaration to contest the 2019 Presidential Election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In his speech, while informing his party members and fans of his interest in flying the Presidential flag, he described the moment as a landmark in the political journey of Nigeria.
“I welcome you all to this historic event, which is landmark in the political landscape of our country, Nigeria.
“My inviting you today, distinguished leaders of our party, is to inform you formally that I will be seeking the ticket of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to contest the 2019 presidential election. This is without prejudice to our party’s position.”
Governor Fayose also added that the country is in dare need of young and able leaders to reach the promise land. According to him, he approves himself as a person of competence and capacity. Reacting to the zoning of Presidential candidate by the party, Dr Fayose made it known that his emergence was timely as no northern personality is currently showing interest for the position in the party.
“However, I am a supporter of competence and capacity, especially now that this country needs young and able leaders that can take our country out of this present state of hopelessness.
“Most importantly, despite that the party has zoned the presidency to the North, it may interest you that no one has come out in this manner to show interest and our party should not wait or beg anyone to fly its flag. Do we now say that if no one comes out from the North, the party won’t have a candidate?
“Going down memory lane, in 1999 and 2003, despite that our party zoned the presidency to the South, the likes of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi of blessed memory and Chief Banabas Gemade contested the ticket.
“Also in 2007, some party members from the South did not only declare their intention to contest, they also showed interest and obtained nomination Forms. Those from the South were; Chief Victor Attah, Dr. Peter Odili, Dr. Sam Egwu, Dr. Donald Duke, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Owelle Rochas Okorocha among others.
“Our party must not lose sight that Nigerians at this period are desirous of a President with demonstrated capacity to change their fortunes. Furthermore, we must be mindful of the fact that our party needs a candidate like me, with a penchant for defeating incumbents.
“Twice, I defeated incumbents to become the Governor of Ekiti State and I am confident that with your support as my party leaders and supporters, I will defeat the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, in a free and fair election.
“Let me state that in Ekiti, God has used me twice for our party to regain power from the opposition and I believe same feat will be repeated at the national level.
I do not stand before Nigerians today to present myself as one with the answers to all our national questions. Rather, I present myself as one with the required knowledge, understanding, competence and, above all, the political will to coordinate the human and material resources that we have in abundance to achieve national greatness.”
Correspondent: Ridwan A Olayiwola
