SAYS ASPIRATION NOT ABOUT PERSONAL AMBITION
The Minister for Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared his interest to run for 2023 presidency under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Declaring his ambition on Saturday, in Porthrcout, Rivers State capital, before a mammoth crowd of his APC supporters in a message, entitled: “Forward With Courage”, Amaechi said his aspiration is not about fulfilling any personal ambition.
The minister did his declaration in style by running round the Port Harcourt Stadium.
He said he has equipped himself with great experience in governance and public service adding that he consulted widely before his declaration.
“I am contesting for office because I believe that it is my moral duty to give what I can in the service of my country. To sustain and intensify present efforts at solving our national problems, our democracy must ensure the emergence of a leadership that is equipped with broad experience in governance to ensure stability and continuity.
“To sustain our democracy and preserve our unity, we need a steady hand and a passion for success in a nation that remains united to pursue prosperity for all Nigerians. It is this combination of experience and patriotic passion that I bring to the table. I have been in the political arena for 23 years.
” have served at every level of government local, state, and federal. I have served both as a political appointee and an elected official. I have served both as an executive – as Governor of Rivers State and as a legislator – as Speaker of the State House of Assembly. ” He stated.
According to Amaechi, the compassion he has for the ordinary citizens of Nigeria is the motivation behind his ambition to rule the country.
He stated that after more than two decades in the public arena that he had opted to go on holiday to spend more time with his family before charting a new course outside politics.
Amaechi said that his compassion for the masses of Nigerians is the push for his interest.
“After more than two decades in the public arena, I had wanted to go on holiday and spend more time with my family before charting a new course outside politics. But at 58, and a member of the generation born after independence who has seen the good, the bad and the ugly of Nigeria, I am compelled by the urgency of our present challenges to place my experience and proven capacity at the service of the nation at the highest level.” He sounded.
According to the Transportation Minister, Nigeria is facing very serious challenges as a country and that those problems of insecurity, challenges of greater accountability in governance, youth unemployment and the scourge of spiraling poverty are not exclusive preserve of Nigeria.
“We live in a troubled world. The reality we used to know has altered in nearly every nation. Climate change has brought about food scarcity in some places. Population explosion has produced unusual pressure on resources and supplies.
“Poverty has become a challenge all over the world especially in the developing world. The Covid crisis has placed unanticipated burden on the budgets of nations and put pressure on available resources.
“Trans border crises have erupted in unusual places and placed the internal security of many nations under pressure. We are part of the Sahel, an area of the world that is subject to frequent terrorist attacks. Let us look at our current challenges as part and consequences of these global trends.
“I admit that Nigeria’s problems did not begin today. And they will not be solved overnight. But they are not beyond the capacity of our people to solve.” He explained.
Amaechi stated that the process of revamping Nigeria has started adding that leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has planted many such trees in Nigeria’s future.
“We have invested billions in infrastructure, human capital development and made reforms that will pay off over time in terms of socio-economic growth and stability. We have invested heavily in projects and initiatives that will secure a brighter, better future for Nigeria
” I am proud to have been part of this success story. It has been an honour overseeing the Ministry of Transportation in reviving the moribund railways, and working tirelessly to create an integrated national transportation system that will positively impact our economy, trade, employment, business, and national cohesion.
“Have we achieved everything we set out to do? Off-course not. Could wehave done more? Undoubtedly, there is always room for improvement. On preflection, the notion of running for President would have been far beyond the imagination of the young lad running around the streets of Diobu or our small compound in Ubima. Not to talk of the young indigent student leader, mobilizing peers at the University of Port Harcourt. But my aspiration is not about fulfilling any personal ambition.
