Rotimi Amaechi
HighlightPoliticsTrending Story

At last, Transportation Minister, Amaechi, at Port Harcourt rally, joins Presidential Race

270

After months of speculation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, has joined the fray to slug it out with other presidential aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the 2023 polls.

With his declaration, Amaechi is expected to vie for the APC presidential ticket alongside former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Ebonyi Gov. Dave Umahi, his Kogi counterpart, Yahaya Bello, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the only female, Ibinabo Joy Dokubo.

Others are Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and Sen. Rochas Okorocha (both from Southeast).

Addressing thousands of party supporters and leaders in Port Harcourt on Saturday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Amaechi said: “Fellow Nigerians, I stand before you today to declare my intention and submit my application to serve as your next president.”

Persecondnews.com reports that personalities at the historic declaration include Plateau Gov. and Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong, former APC National Chairman and ex-Edo Gov. Adams Oshiomhole and the Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki.

Others are some former governors and APC lawmakers.

Amaechi, who titled his declaration speech as “Forward With Courage”, also told the cheering crowd: “I did not come to this decision lightly, I have served our nation for the last seven years as minister of transportation.

“Eight years before that, I served as governor of Rivers State; in the preceding eight years before that, I was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Within this period, I have also served as the Director-General of President (Muhammadu) Buhari’s campaign organisation twice.

“After more than two decades in the public arena, I had wanted to go on a holiday and spend more time with my family before charting a new course outside politics.

“But at 56, 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.”

It is not immediately clear if Amaechi, the erstwhile Rivers Governor had resigned in accordance with the Electoral Act.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: For umpteenth time, national power grid collapses

Nigeria’s national power grid experienced another collapse on Tuesday, losing power generation...

CONUA to FG: Settle out withheld salaries, allowances, third-party deductions

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has called on the federal government...

Tinubu’s N200bln intervention fund seeks to eradicate poverty in Nigeria – Gov. Sani

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has said that President Bola Tinubu...

Guardiola admits Manchester City’s struggle amid injury crisis

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that the club will struggle...

Pres.Tinubu Unveils Ambitious Plan to Revamp Nigeria’s Dilapidated Stadiums

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has outlined...

Just in: 63-year-old Ekiti Chief Judge, Adeyeye, dies

Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, has passed away....

Equatorial Guinea govt introduces CCTV in offices amid sextape scandal

Following sextape scandals, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teddy Nguema, has announced plans...

Election Day Showdown: Harris and Trump Hold Duelling Rallies as Polls Reach Dead Heat

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rival rallies on Monday, the final...

$26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project Gains Momentum

The federal government, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African...

N1.3trn fraud: EFCC arrests, grills ex-Delta Gov. Okowa

A former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been apprehended by the...

Equatorial Guinea government official embroiled in sextape scandal

Mr. Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)...

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Polaris Bank wins “Best Mobile App” award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

For its commitment to digital innovation and excellence, Polaris Bank has again...

Updated: After six years of injustice, Nigeria’s ex-Chief Justice, Onnoghen, finally gets justice

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday, overturned the conviction of...

Flood sacks 4 Anambra council areas as Soludo activates 27 IDP camps

By Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka Floods have devastated four local government areas in...

Four-month salary: NASU, SSANU secure irrevocable commitment from FG, suspend strike

After a six-day strike, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff...

Three radio stations in Abia destroyed by mysterious fire

A mysterious fire has hit three radio stations in Abia in Abia...

Seven new ministers for inauguration on Monday, Nov. 4

President Bola Tinubu will preside over the oath-taking of seven new ministers...

Youth shot dead for playing football near VIP’s house

A 70-year-old man, Mr. Stephen Irobunda, has escaped a mob action in...

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, director Dimeji Ajibola is dead

Dimeji Ajibola, the acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker behind the popular series Shanty Town,...