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Tag: presidential candidate

  • Suit to disqualify Atiku over citizenship for Monday

    A Suit to disqualify the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from contesting the presidential election is to be heard on Monday.

    The suit filed by Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa before the Federal High Court, Abuja, will be heard by Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo of Court 6.

    However, the hearing will be done two days after the presidential election, which is rescheduled for February 23.

    According to the group, Atiku should be disqualified over alleged circumstances surrounding his citizenship.

    The suit, which was filed on February 11, is seeking an interpretation of Sections 25 (1) & (2) and 131 (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    The group named the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as defendants in the suit.

    It also wants the court to determine the following questions, viz:

    *whether Section 25 of the Constitution is the sole authority that spells out ways by which a person can become a Nigerian citizen by birth?

    *whether by the provisions of Section 131 (a) of the constitution, only a Nigerian citizen by birth can contest for the office of president?

    *whether by the combined interpretation of Sections 25 (1) & (2) and 131 (a) of the constitution and given the circumstances surrounding the birth of Alhaji Atiku, he can be cleared by PDP and INEC to contest for office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

    In the suit, the plaintiff said if the court resolves the issues in its favour, it should declare that by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, only a Nigerian citizen by birth can contest for president.

    In an affidavit deposed in support of the plaintiff’s action, the deponent averred that Atiku was born on November 25, 1946 in Cameroon.

    “That from Atiku’s own testimony that is gazetted and published in most national dailies in circulation, he is from Jada town in Adamawa and Jada used to be in Ganye Local Government Area in Adamawa.

    “That Ganye is regarded as the mother of the whole Chamba tribe and was never part of Nigeria legally as at the date of birth of Atiku.

    “That none of Atiku’s parents or grandparents was born in Nigeria and his father died a citizen of Northern Cameroon in 1957 prior to the referendum of June 1, 1961 that made Northern Cameroon a part of Nigeria.”

     

  • Atiku urges security agencies to be professional, uphold constitution

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on security personnel deployed for the Saturday rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections to uphold the constitution and be professional in discharging their duties.

    Abubakar made the call at the 84th National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting of the PDP held on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to Abubakar, as military commanders and personnel they must be professional and never carry out any order that was not lawful.

    “I urge all security agencies to uphold the country’s constitution with an understanding that voting was a civil activity and civic responsibility.

    “The Nigerian military is constitutionally responsible for protecting our national integrity and its borders and has no role to play in the conduct of elections.

    “Additionally, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), once again to remain impartial arbiters while ensuring that they conduct credible elections, this time around.

    “INEC must ensure that all logistical challenges are addressed between now and Saturday, Feb. 23, and that all materials retrieved from the field are inspected by participating political parties before the commencement of the elections,’’ he said.

    Abubakar, who expressed concern about losses of Nigerians due to the postponement of the Saturday presidential election, urged them not to be discouraged by the postponement.

    “In spite of last week’s disappointment, I urge all Nigerians to come out and vote for the candidate of their choice, keeping in mind our desire to build a democratic and economically viable nation that will be respected amongst the league of democratic nations.

    Abubakar said that the feedback from his supporters throughout the country from the nationwide campaign confirmed their desire and willingness to entrust their destiny to PDP as a viable alternative to their hopelessness.

    He re-emphasised his commitment to peaceful election.

    The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said his hope was that the NEC meeting would be an electoral victory celebration; but such celebration had been postponed for a week.

    Secondus said that nevertheless, PDP victory was delayed, it could not be denied.

    He stressed the need for non-deployment of military or paramilitary units to electoral duties as election was a civil activity, that the civilian police was best train to handle.

    Read also: Keyamo, Melaye clash over Buhari’s ballot snatching statement

    He also called for the closure of the national borders with the Republics of Chad and Niger, in particular.

    The Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, said that the PDP was against election rigging.

    “We sign strongly that the law should be apply on anybody that carry out election rigging. We must operate as country with the rule of law and democracy.’’

    Saraki commended all PDP members across the country for making the party campaign successful, despite the limited resources and harassment.

    “I thank all Nigerians from the six geopolitical zones for the way PDP and its candidates, Abubakar was accepted.

    “By God’s grace election will hold and we will win, because we represent the interest of Nigerians. Like they say, when your time has come, it has come and no one can change it. Abubakar your time has come.’’

    The Chairman, PDP Board of Trustee, Sen. Walid Jubril, advised Nigerians to go back to their constituencies and vote for Atiku on the new day for the elections.

    The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, described the postponement of the election as the worst embarrassment Nigerians could ever suffer in the international community.

    He, however, said that the postponement waste last sign that the PDP would be victorious in the Saturday presidential election.(NAN)

  • Presidential candidate decries bad leadership

    The presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yabagi Sani, has criticised the leaders in Rivers State, describing them as “not fit for the position”.

    Sani, who spoke at his presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, regretted the spate of bad leaders the state has produced.

    He presented the party’s governorship candidate, Victor Fingesi, as a credible alternative.

    Sani said: “I am in Rivers State to fulfil the promise which God made that He will not allow His people to suffer in the midst of plenty. Rivers State is blessed, the only missing link between it and greatness is leadership.

    “And God told me to come here today to raise the hand of your governor, Chief Victor Fingesi.”

    He promised the people quality education and empowerment, saying this was the reason for the choice of book as the party’s logo.

    “Our Logo is very instructive, fundamental and with lots of message, one of which is hope. Where there is education, there is hope for greatness. We believe in education, that is why we chose a book as our party symbol.

    “The best legacy you can leave for your children is education, that is why our party has come to establish a permanent foundation for the growth of Nigeria as a great country, that is respected world over…”

    Sani hailed the Supreme Court ruling on the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates, saying it would pave way for ADP as the credible alternative.

  • Atiku in Rivers: I’m author of restructuring

    PEOPLE’S Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described himself as the author of restructuring.

    He claimed that he would be Nigeria’s President from May 29 and that President Muhammadu Buhari must go.

    The former vice president spoke yesterday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, near Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State, while campaigning along with other PDP leaders.

    President Buhari will also be at the same Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium today in continuation of his presidential campaigns.

    Atiku, who was also accompanied by one of his wives, Jennifer, got to the stadium at 2:27p.m. for a campaign slated for 10a.m., when many tired members of the party had left the venue, owing to the scorching sun.

    One of the Masters of Ceremonies (MCs) repeatedly announced: “Close the back gate”, when the stadium was almost becoming empty.

    When the PDP vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was asked to speak, he kept shouting in Pidgin English: “Rivers people, make una wait now”.

    The rally was also attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience; Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike; his counterpart in Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; the Director-General of PDP’s Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Bukola Saraki; the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, an indigene of Andoni LGA of Rivers state; and Rivers State Chairman Chief Felix Obuah, among other party leaders.

    Atiku said: “Let me use this opportunity to pay tribute to a Nigerian, who is patriotic, who is fearless, who is courageous, who is hardworking and who believes in this country. That Nigerian is Governor Wike. Wike and I have a few things in common. We no dey fear ooo. Do you want somebody we dey fear to lead you? It means if he is afraid, you will all be finished. I want to commend him (Wike) for the hard work he has done in Rivers State. I have been part and parcel of this state (Rivers) since 1984. I have not seen one single governor, who has transformed this state to such a level that you can compare it with any modernised state.”

    He added: “If you elect PDP, which I am sure you are going to elect, and if you elect Atiku, you know that I am the author of restructuring. I will give it (restructuring) to Niger Delta and I will give it to all parts of this country. We must restructure.

    “It was the Obasanjo/Atiku administration that started the East-West Road. Till today, it is not finished. It is not finished, because you did not vote for PDP in 2015 to continue. APC came and halted it. If you vote for PDP again, we are going to finish it.”

    He added: “Your ports that do not work to create jobs, the Port Harcourt Port and Onne Port, we will complete them so that we can create thousands of jobs for young men and women in Rivers State.

    “You can see that APC has not done anything for you. They have not done anything for Niger Delta. They have not done anything for Southsouth. Every development that you have got in Rivers State, Southsouth or Niger Delta is PDP. So, continue to vote for PDP. I beg you.

    “I want to assure you that I will protect the constitution (of Nigeria). You know sey nobody go court reach me in Nigeria, to protect our constitution. I will protect separation of powers. I will not interfere with the National Assembly, because I believe in checks and balances. I will not interfere with the judiciary, because it is part and parcel of our checks and balances. I will uphold the rule of law. I will not allow rule of law to be trampled by anybody.”

    The PDP presidential candidate also alleged that the APC was preaching violence, claiming that it was not the first time that President Buhari would do so, stressing that Nigerians wanted peace.

    He declared that “Buhari must go.”

    Jonathan stated that Atiku would be Nigeria’s president from May 29, 2019, describing Rivers State as totally PDP.

    He claimed that Nigeria had not made progress since he left office on May 29, 2015, after his humiliating defeat by Buhari, the first of its kind in Nigeria’s history, for a sitting president to lose election.

    Wike said: “We have darkness and light (in Nigeria). APC is darkness. PDP is light. Do you want to vote for darkness? It is a war between dictatorship and freedom. Do you want dictatorship? Dictatorship is APC. Freedom is PDP. Are you Atikulated?”

    Secondus described Atiku as the next president, alleging that APC was in disarray, with its leaders desperate and confused.

    The PDP National maintained that Atiku had capacity, energy, being innovative, would be able to work for 24 hours daily and would be fully in charge as the Commander-in-Chief’

    Saraki urged Nigerians to move the nation forward, claiming that his party’s presidential candidate would change Nigeria and put an end to the current poverty.

    Obi said the only person, who could make Nigeria to work again, was Atiku.

    Rivers PDP Chairman assured that people of the state would give Atiku 100 per cent votes.

    The rally ended at 3:36 p.m.

  • PDP’s Kano rally: Three feared dead, 30 fainted

    No fewer than three people were feared dead and over 30  others fainted yesterday while waiting for the campaign team of the People’s Democratic People (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

    Unconfirmed reports claimed that the death of the three people was as a result of a clash between rival PDP groups outside the stadium.

    A large crowd of PDP supporters had gathered at the venue for several hours, waiting for Atiku’s and his team’s arrival.

    It was gathered that people fainted as a result of suffocation inside the stadium.

    Also yesterday,  the Kano  home of State Chairman of the ruling APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, came under attack by some PDP members, according to the police.

    Confirming the attack, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Abdullahi Kiyawa, said “the attackers were by suspected PDP members”.

    However, Abubakar, when he arrived, said the country is witnessing an unprecedented setback in the areas of agriculture and the economy under the All Progressive Congress (APC) government.

    The PDP presidential candidate’s campaign train arrived at the Sani Abacha Stadium at about 5:55p.m., after the mammoth crowd had anxiously waited for several hours.

    Atiku, who was visibly elated over the mammoth crowd, was clad in Kwankwasiyya red cap and white baban riga.

    The PDP Presidential candidate said, if given the mandate in the February 16 presidential election, he would support the revitalisation of agriculture and the economy.

    According to him, “I will ensure that among my priorities would be the revitalisation of agriculture, industries and commercial activities to boost the economy, which has been killed by the APC government.”

    He noted that Kano, which is nerve centre of commercial activities in the North, was experiencing backwardness in business and commerce.

    He said: “Are you going to vote for PDP? If you vote for PDP from top to bottom and bottom to top, PDP government will revitalise business and the moribund industries in Kano. We will also boost agriculture.”

    Also speaking, the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus told the PDP supporters that the Kano rally represents a revolution and a pointer that Kano people has embraced PDP.

    Director General of Atiku Campaign Organisation, Senator Bukola Saraki lamented: “There is hunger in Nigeria. The APC government has brought hardship on the people. There is need for us to vote them out.”

    Former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankawso said the huge crowd was sending a message to Aso Villa that PDP has already taken over Kano.

    He said: “Today, Kano people and particularly, the youths have shown that Kano is for PDP and Kwankwasiyya.”

    Kano State PDP Chairman Suleiman Rabi’u Bichi said PDP would sweep the polls from top to bottom in Kano, “because Kano belongs to PDP”.

  • Lawson: NACCIMA not backing any candidate

    NIGERIA Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) National President Iyalode Alaba Lawson has clarified that at no time did the association as a corporate body indicate that it was backing a particular candidate.

    Chief Lawson, in a statement yesterday, said the clarification was informed by a news report in a national newspaper of January 22, with the headlines “NACCIMA and others back Atiku on NNPC privatisation”.

    The statement reads: “This is to clarify that at no time did NACCIMA as a corporate body indicate that the association is backing a particular candidate. The association remains the voice of the Nigerian business and the leading national member of the Organised Private Sector, non-partisan in the ongoing current political campaign as election draws near.

    Read also: 42 parties back Ayade

    “NACCIMA remains mainly focused on promoting and advocating for conducive environment, which will promote the activities of the private sector for inclusive economic growth and development.

    “This clarification has become necessary in view of spate of report suggesting that NACCIMA is in support of a political candidate. Our position remains promoting what is best for the Nigerian economy and not in support of political candidate contesting for election at all levels.”

     

  • Middle Belt leaders adopt Olawepo-Hashim as presidential candidate

    •PT campaign condemns killing in Lagos

    PEOPLE’S Trust (PT) presidential candidate Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim yesterday move closer to achieving his aspiration with the Middle Belt Forum adopting him as its candidate for the February 16 election.

    Leaders of the forum, at a meeting in Abuja yesterday, ratified the choice of Olawepo-Hashim, capping a process that started some six months earlier.

    The forum’s leader, former Plateau State Military Governor Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (retd), who announced the news to a gathering of its elders in Abuja, said the choice of Olawepo-Hashim has been ratified by the forum.

    The forum has presence in 12 of 19 Northern states, its leaders said.

    The leaders added that the new development could alter the calculations ahead of the 2019 election.

    According to him, the journey for the ratification of a common Middle Belt candidate started, when the Southern leaders asked the Middle Belt to produce a common candidate that would be supported for the Presidency by the Southern and Middle Belt Forum.

    He said the forum identified many aspirants from the Middle Belt and later shortlisted three of them, who met with the leaders at the home of former Kwara State Governor Chief Cornelius Adebayo in Lagos.

    Suleiman said the forum had assured the three shortlisted candidates that a final choice would be made and that all of them must be ready to work together.

    He also stated that the Middle Belt would continue to network with Southern leaders on the adoption of the common candidate.

    “What we are doing  here today is to tell you that the Middle Belt has completed the exercise and we have settled for a candidate and that candidate is you (Olawepo-Hashim),” the retired Air Force officer and former Chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) said.

    Air Commodore Suleiman then asked Olawepo-Hashim, who was in attendance to respond.

    Olawepo-Hashim, who expressed gratitude to leaders and members of the Middle Belt Forum for the adoption, said he was a candidate with capacity to unite Nigeria and bring prosperity to the land.

    He said his adoption was not just because he hailed from the Middle Belt, but more of a recognition of his capacity to keep the country safe and united, a role, he said the Middle Belt has always played.

    He said the Middle Belt has remained the mainstay of Nigerian unity, adding that Middle Belters fought in the frontlines as soldiers, policemen and forces that keep the country united.

    Olawepo-Hashim said: “That Nigeria is still standing as one today is due to the sacrifices of all of you. Most of you were not just soldiers in mouth, you also led in the battle field to keep Nigeria one. The forces that fought either as Air Force officers, or as combatant soldiers and Police officers are all from Middle belt.

    “Today, the country is facing an existential threat. Eleven out of 19 Northern states are today ravaged by cross border banditry and all manners of criminality. The South is threatened by kidnappers, armed robbers, you can hardly travel from Port Harcourt to Lagos on road without major incidents. So, the country is facing existential threat.

    “And it is not surprising to me that you have done what you are supposed to do as leaders. At this point in time, by agreeing to support somebody who can bring the country together. I am sure you have done this not just because I am a Middle Belter, but because you believe that we are able to keep the job done. And this job is to keep Nigeria one, secure the country. Secondly, bring prosperity to the land and three guarantee all round socio-development that would bring our people quickly out of poverty.

    “The next election is not just about choosing a President, it is a battle for the soul of Nigeria.”

    He promised to address the imbalance in state creations and form a National Guard to enhance security, if elected President.

    Other leaders of the Middle Belt present at the brief gathering included the President of Middle Belt Forum Dr. Pogu Bitrus, Chief Adebayo, former Rivers State Military Governor Maj.-Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd), former Niger State Deputy Governor Nuhu Zagbayi, retired DIG Porter Dabup and members of the executive committee of the Middle Belt Forum.

    The PT Presidential Campaign Council of People’s Trust (PT) also yesterday condemned the violence at the Lagos rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where thugs of political rivals allegedly fired gunshots at one another.

    Two persons were reportedly killed in the process while many others sustained various degrees of injury in the pandemonium that ensued.

    PT Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement issued by its Director of Communication, Laura Oloyede, described the incident as ominous and called on Nigerians to take note of the violent dimension that the governing party has introduced into the campaigns for the forthcoming general election.

  • ACF: we don’t have presidential candidate for 2019

    •PT candidate Olawepo-Hashim vows to build N4tr economy

    THE mouthpiece of the North, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has debunked supporting a specific presidential candidate or aligning with any political party.

    ACF stated this at its headquarters in Kaduna yesterday, when it played host to the People’s Trust presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

    This was as Olawepo-Hashim vowed that with his over 27 years’ experience in business, where he has invested immensely in infrastructure and human capital, he would build a N4 trillion economy for Nigeria in 10 years, to employ 40 million citizens.

    Receiving the presidential candidate alongside other chieftains of the forum, Acting ACF Chairman Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande said: “We do not align ourselves to any individual or political party.”

    The ACF chair said what the forum wants to see in presidential candidate is a genuine, very positive and pragmatic policies and measures to fight corruption, insecurity, impunity, anarchy and a host of other disingenuous activities which, if not effectively contained, would certainly be the bane of the nation’s progress and growth.

    According to Kwande, “ACF, as you are aware, is a non-partisan, non-political, non-religious body devoid of any ethnic or tribal sentiments. Thus, its status as the foremost northern socio-cultural organisation, which tries to promote peace, unity, justice and the rule of law, with the main thrust to promoting and protecting the interest and development of North and its people, within the context of one indivisible nation, is not in question.

    “In our non-partisan disposition, we do not align ourselves to any individual or political party. Rather, we strive to weigh the scale on what is good for the North in particular and the overall good of the nation.

    “As we hold the belief that every aspirant to the office of the President of our great country should have an articulate and thorough blueprint that will catapult the country to be among the comity of great nations, we expect to see genuinely, the very positive and pragmatic policies and measures put in place to fight against corruption, insecurity, impunity, anarchy and a host of other disingenuous activities which, if not effectively contained, would certainly be the bane of our progress and development as a people and one cohesive nation.

    “I understand that you have availed yourself to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2019, under the platform of the People’s Trust (PT). I feel quite enthused to acknowledge the emergence of new breed politicians like your humble self vying for the various elective offices in our nascent democratic dispensation, which, by and large, has the potential to engender healthy political process as we strive to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far.

    “It is, therefore, significant under the prevailing situation in our nationhood, to witness-quite-a prolific array of political formations and platforms under which each and every Nigerian can have expression. We therefore welcome your emergence of political parties and your good self as the presidential candidate of one of the new parties, the People’s

    Trust (PT).”

    The forum appealed to leaders of various political parties to ensure they live by the letters and spirit of the Abuja Peace Accord put up by the National Peace Committee under the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, which they all signed and pledged to uphold.

    The PT presidential candidate, who hails from Kebbi State, North-West Nigeria, harped on the need to unite Nigerians and build a virile economy that can support the nation’s growing population.

    According to him, “Nigeria has been badly divided more than ever before. So, our plan is to stop insecurity and return the country to a united nation like it was at independence. Though, North is the largest part of the country, but we must unite with smaller units who feel threatened, and mend the broken bones.”

    On the economy, Olawepo-Hashim said there was too much hunger in the land because the nation’s economy was too small to take care of its population.

    “With my over 27 years’ experience in business, where I have invested immensely in infrastructure and human capital, I have the experience to build the biggest economy that can take care of our population. I will build a N4 trillion economy for Nigeria in 10 years, which will employ 40 million citizens,” he said.

  • Presidential candidate pledges good governance

    Founder and leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP), Dr Johnson Edosomwan, has pledged to introduce good governance to the nation, if voted into the country’s number one position, come 2019 general elections.

    Edosomwan, who spoke to newsmen in Lagos after his brief meeting with some members of his party, said that Nigeria is overwhelmingly blessed with resources that “are so abundant and can go round each and everybody in the country.”

    Edosomwan, who said that he is on a rescue mission to the country from his erstwhile abode in the United State of America where he is well known for his developmental strategy and contributions to the world at large, said he will duplicate all that he is well known for in the international community here in Nigeria.

    He recalled a book he recently launched wherein he said he has spelt out all the ways in which he will work to bring about good governance in the nation.

    “I have published a book here in Nigeria: Progress begins with me. The book provides a framework for transportation of the entire system from point A to Z.

    “The book basically contains the elements, which are our road map for progress. I call on all Nigerians both home and abroad to join our transformation team. Together we will succeed.

    “In the book, I’ve called on all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to unify and transform Nigeria into a world class democratic nation where every citizen contributes and lives peacefully in safe and secure communities free from corruption, poverty, violence, regionalism, and tribalism, and a modern nation that provides access to jobs, clean water, clean air, electricity, infrastructure, education and health care.

    “My vision will transform Nigeria into a forward looking nation whose multidimensional and robust economy eagerly embraces the advancing technological age.”

  • ANN/PT alliance produces Olawepo-Hasim as presidential candidate

    Two political parties, People’s Trust (PT), and Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) yesterday formed a “strategic alliance to emerge as a formidable force” for the 2019 elections.

    The alliance, under a new name, Alliance for People’s Trust (APT), was formed at the maiden convention of PT in Ikeja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The arrangement, which was ratified by officials of both PT and ANN, and observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, produced Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hasim, a businessman, as presidential candidate.

    The candidate emerged by consensus and was affirmed by members of both parties.

    Speaking, the National Secretary of APT, Mallam Naseer Kura, said the alliance was formed to provide Nigerians a credible alternative in 2019.

    He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed to deliver on its promises to the people of the country.

    Kura said the country was facing serious challenges in the economy, security and other areas, adding that Nigerians deserve a better deal.

    The National Secretary said APT was peopled by men of capacity, expressing the confidence that the party would win the 2019 elections.

    “There must be paradigm change in leadership. This country needs people with integrity and capacity, and not recycled leaders.

    “The APT is committed to offer a credible alternative to render purposeful governance.

    “We have integrity, we have the capacity and by God’s grace, we will win in 2019,” he said.

    He urged members of the party to be dedicated to the ideals of the party, to deliver change in 2019.

    In his speech, Olawepo-Hasim thanked party members for choosing him to be presidential candidate, as it reflected the confidence they had in him.

    He said Nigeria needed serious change in leadership to reposition and inspire people, to achieve her development goals.

    The candidate said he had the capacity, the passion and the integrity to deliver the desired change to Nigerians.

    “I will ensure that we have a Nigeria of equal opportunity and support the aspirations and the needs of the people.

    “We would work to ensure that we resolve issues of ethnicity and religion that have affected the country.

    “I will be president of Nigeria that will promote security of lives and property.

    “I would not be president of a section of Nigeria but president of the entire Nigeria.

    “We cannot give Nigeria to apprentice politicians. The next election is about capacity, about competence,” he said.

    The candidate urged party men and other Nigerians to give him the necessary support to realise his vision for Nigeria.