By Kemi Yesufu
The senator representing Imo West Senatorial District on Monday in Abuja, declared his intention to run for the presidency.
Okorocha a two-term governor of Imo State said he is running as candidate for justice and not a candidate whose ambition is based on zoning. Since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, political parties in reaction to calls for equity zones elective offices based ethnicity and religion.
Despite his declaration of running not based on calls for the presidency to return to the south after being held by the North-West, the senator stated that it would be unfair and unjust if the South-East is not supported to take over the presidency come 2023.
“I hear people talking about zoning, I’m not a candidate of zoning, I am a candidate of justice. Maybe the South-East has not been able to present their matter very well before the rest of Nigerians.
“I appeal to my party – APC, to allow a level-playing ground. And the South-East must know that power is not given, it is taken. You must reach out to people who you want to vote for you. But let justice reign”
Okorocha described himself as the most committed to Nigeria’s unity and prosperity among all those interested in taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari.
The lawmaker stressed that Nigeria needs rescuing as the country is displaying signs of a failed state.
He noted with sadness, the level of poverty in Nigeria which earned it the poverty capital of the world tittle has left many young people frustrated. According to him, other negative statistics such as the number of children out-of-school, the unemployment rate, the high level of insecurity and inflation rates can only be upturned by an experienced administrator in his mold.
Okorocha who is running for President for the fourth time said his development and economic recovery plans with be based on youth and women empowerment, ICT- based economic diversification, government transparency and a well-paid judiciary.
The former governor emphasized that education is the bedrock of any nation’s development, hence his plan to make education free for Nigerians from primary to tertiary level.
Still speaking on solutions to the country’s many problems, the presidential aspirant stated that anyone taking over in 2023 must have financial knowledge, especially in the area of significantly improving the country’s earnings. This is because Nigeria generates just as ten percent of the funds it needs to develop infrastructure, run government, provide social services and keep the country safe.
He said: “The problem is that for every N1 billion problem, Nigeria has N10,000 to solve it. But what we require now is that radical businessman who can turn nothing into something. I have done it in past and I can do it again. I am not one of those when they come into power, they start singing the songs of blame and complains. I will not sing the songs of complains, I will take responsibility”.
Responding to questions from newsmen after his declaration, Okorocha dismissed suggestions that he may not be able to pick the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as he has fallen out with the governor of his state, Sen. Hope Uzodinma.
He reminded journalists that he is one of the founding fathers of the APC and couldn’t be driven out of a house he built. He described those currently running Imo APC has robbers who attacked a house and the house owner ran for safety, but with plans to return to take control of his home.
He however asked that the APC provide a level playing ground for all aspirants to fully express their aspirations.
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