By Ben Ogbemudia, Cross Udo, and David Lawani
Yesterday was a day of presidential declarations as no fewer than four stalwarts of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) joined the race.

After months of consultations, the new entrants include the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi; his Jigawa State counterpart, Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; and a former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.

With their declarations, the rank of aspirants for the Aso Rock Presidential Villa under the aegis of the ruling party has swollen to 18, while those already cleared to contest for the ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is 15.

Oshiomhole joins 2023 presidential race

The new entrants will contest the APC ticket with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu; a former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige; Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, a 40-year-old United States-based Nigerian, Nicholas Felix, and others.

However, as of yesterday, it was learnt that those that have picked the N100m nomination form of the APC include Yahaya Bello, Oshiomhole, Fayemi, Tinubu, Akpabio, and Nwajiuba. The party has extended the sale of nomination forms to May 10, while it fixed May 30, 31, and June 1, 2022, for its presidential primary.

The promise to fix the economy and tackle the escalating wave of insecurity across the country as well as employment opportunities topped the agenda of the aspirants.

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*Fayemi promises good governance

Chairman of NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Fayemi, who declared at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, said he would enthrone good governance, national unity, and cohesion.

His declaration was witnessed by his wife, Bisi, Ekiti APC governorship candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, members of the Ekiti House of Assembly, traditional rulers from the state, and other party stalwarts.

He said he was honoured by the presence of Nigerians at the declaration, saying that their presence has further encouraged him to pursue his presidential ambition.

Fayemi said, “Your presence reinforces my conviction that we are at a moment in the history of our country and of the world at large where we must. As a people, make the choices that will ensure that our nation can prosper in peace, unity, safety, and security in the comity of nations.

“At trying times such as we were traversing as a nation which is also being witnessed on a global scale could, if properly managed, be converted into transformative moments. This will allow both for the achievement of a fundamental national reset and a major leap forward in our affairs, as a people, I believe that if guided by the right leadership coalition, Nigerians are determined not to allow tough times to deter them or to lose sight of the gains of a better country.”

He said he joined the presidential race, not with prior assumptions about what it would yield nor with any sense of personal entitlement.

“However, after careful consideration of where we are as a nation and the many perspectives which are emerging about the challenges, old and new, which we must gird our loins to tackle and transcend.

“I am convinced that my entry into the race to bear the standard of the APC will offer our members and Nigerians the opportunity to examine competing visions for national rebirth in the best interest of our country.

“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 based on what I have experienced, heard, and seen about the demands of the times and the aspirations of our people,” he said.

*Solving Nigeria’s problem won’t be difficult for me – Oshiomhole

In his declaration at the Cyprian Ekwensi Center for Arts and Culture in Abuja, a former APC national chairman, Oshiomhole, unfolded his agenda for tackling economic, security, and employment challenges if gets the APC ticket and voted as President of Nigeria.

Oshiomhole said with his experiences over the years as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, governor of Edo State, and national chairman of the APC, he would solve Nigeria’s problem if elected as President in 2023.

He said as an ordinary citizen, who left home in Edo State at the age of 16 for Kaduna, worked in the textile industry, and rose through the labour ranks to be the President of NLC and governor of Edo, he has been prepared for the task ahead.

“I am here today to declare my intentions to be president of this country, Nigeria. I understand the working, from economic, employment, security to education. We must stop lamenting, if I can make it in life without godfathers, Nigerians too can make it.

“With my work experience at the Nigeria Labour Congress and as governor of Edo State, solving the problem of Nigeria will not be difficult for me,” Oshiomhole said.

*Akpabio promises restoration, dignity, succour to Nigerians

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Also, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Akpabio, promised to bring restoration, dignity, respect, and succour to Nigerians, if elected.

Speaking to a mammoth crowd during his declaration at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio, a former governor of the state, said he would restore the days of glory experienced in Akwa Ibom to the country.

Akpabio said as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, 88 road projects which would have been abandoned, but for the fear of forensic audit initiated by the commission, were completed by contractors.

He said his wealth of experience as governor and as a minister qualified him for president.

Akpabio said, “You have heard a lot of declarations but this one is uncommon. It is not only a message of hope, positive continuity and of the Egyptians you see today, it is a message of the restoration of your dignity, and respect in the ECOWAS region and beyond.

“I am determined not to let our nation sink but drink from the deep well of experiences I have from service. I seek your nomination to become your President come 2023. I thank the president for the opportunity given me to make great advances beyond Akwa Ibom State. The president is fighting corruption the way I like corruption to be fought.”

*I’ll continue with Buhari’s positive programmes, policies, says Badaru

Meanwhile, Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar, has promised to continue with President Muhammadu Buhari’s positive programmes and policies if elected.

Badaru was sighted at the party’s national secretariat yesterday where he went to obtain his nomination and the expression of interest forms.

He was initially linked to the senatorial race ahead of the 2023 general elections but reportedly changed his decision following a stakeholders’ meeting of the ruling APC in Dutse on Tuesday night.

Though it was not immediately known why he changed his ambition, the governor was said to have told the gathering that he was pressurised to contest for the presidential seat by his colleagues.

His Special Adviser on Media and Public Relations, Habibu Kila, who confirmed the development said, “It is true that governor Badaru has travelled to Abuja to secure nomination form for the 2023 presidential election.”

He said he was capable, adding that if given the chance to succeed Buhari, he would continue with the president’s “positive programmes and policies.”

*High number of aspirants good for democracy- Tinubu

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One of the frontline presidential aspirants of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described the increasing number of people seeking the party’s presidential ticket as good for democracy.

Tinubu stated this after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The APC leader, it was gathered, met with President Buhari at his official residence in the Villa, to pay him the traditional Salah homage.

Fielding questions after the meeting, particularly when his opinion about the increasing number of aspirants on the platform of his party, the APC, was asked, Tinubu said it is in the best interest of the country, adding that it shows that leaders are not abandoning the country.

He said, “The more the merrier. The more they come, the more challenging it becomes for you to think deeply, focus on issues and be ready to serve Nigeria. It’s all about service, it’s nothing else. Think wisely, get committed to your thinking to serve the nation and bring progress and prosperity to the lives of Nigerians.

“It’s good for the country for so many of us to aspire to want to lead, we’re not abandoning our nation. But there’s only one chair and one possibility. We will do that”, he said.

Responding to fears being expressed about the unity of the ruling party, the party stalwart noted that the party would remain intact and united after its presidential primary, pointing out that President Buhari had shown that he is in support of a transparent democratic process.

“We are sure that we will remain united. You know our symbol is the broom, you don’t break it as you go. Nigeria requires commitment, a uniform system, and a stable country and that is the only way we can be very proud of Nigeria.

“The President has shown a great example of leadership, gave us the freedom to say you want to run, you want to attempt, go ahead. He is a democrat and if we are running a constitutional democracy, you don’t hinder the desire, the wish of other people”, he said.

He, however, used the opportunity to congratulate the President on the successful Eid-el-Fitr celebrations across Nigeria, as well as his genuine efforts at confronting the challenges bedeviling the country for a sustainable future.

“President has shown a great example of leadership. He’s been very honest and forthright with Nigerians. Yes, we’ll continue to be challenged within this short period, but it’s left for us, the followers, to help, to be ready, to persevere, and give hope to the populace and yes, we can do it. We will do it”, he said.

*APC extends sale of nomination forms to May 10

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC yesterday extended the party’s sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2023 general elections to May 10.

National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, made this disclosure in a statement.

He said: “In a revised timetable issued by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, the last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is now set for Wednesday, May 11.

“Also, congresses to elect local government areas, state and national delegates will now be held from May 12 to May 14, 2022,” he noted.