2023 Presidency: List of people who have declared interest to become Nigeria’s president
In preparation for the February 18, 2023 date scheduled to conduct the presidential election in Nigeria, some politicians have already made their interest publicly known in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari.
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Although some other individuals are still expected to declare their interest in the coming days, Neptune Prime outlines (in no particular order) the list of those who have already declared their presidential ambition so far.
1. Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2023 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He made the official announcement during an event at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday 23 March 2022.
Atiku promised to focus on unity, security, economy, education and devolve more resources and powers to the federating units if elected.
He said in a series of tweets “We will operate a liberal economy that allows small businesses to grow through lower taxes for small businesses and low-income earners.
“Though we all have different lives and goals and desires we all want one future.
“Nigeria is a land of possibility. There is no challenging background that will make any Nigerian give up. I am a living witness to what is possible in Nigeria”.
He had been Vice President for eight years between 1999 and 2007 and in 2019, entered the race for President.
He, however, lost to the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari.
Three years after, he has picked up that ambition again, with a promise to transform the country’s economy among other things.
“This time around is different; our journey will not end at the poll; we will get to work and rescue Nigeria. I invite every Nigerian to join me in this mission to save our dear country,” Atiku said at Wednesday’s event.
“I have never been this optimistic, and with your support and God’s grace, we will get to the promised land. I know as one, we can rescue Nigeria. I know as one, we can get it done.”
2. Peter Obi (PDP)
Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, on Thursday, 24 March 2022, declared his intention to run for the position of president of Nigeria in 2023.
He disclosed this when he met with Anambra Traditional rulers.
Obi was Atiku’s running-mate in the last Nigerian presidential election in 2019.
Although many of his supporters had been calling on him to declare his ambition, Obi, 60, only properly announced his intention today.
A businessman, Obi is expected to vie for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket alongside the likes of Atiku.
Obi was the former governor of Anambra State serving from 17 March 2006 to 2 November 2006, when he was impeached and from 9 February 2007 to 29 May 2007 after his impeachment was overturned. Although a fresh election was held on 29 April 2007, he was reappointed as governor on 14 June 2007 after a court ruling that he should be allowed to complete a four-year term.
He won on 6 February 2010 gubernatorial election which made him governor of the state for the second time.
Obi, was present on Wednesday, 23 March 2022 when former Nigerian Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, officially declared his presidential ambition at the International Conference Center (ICC), in Abuja.
3. Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC)
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is one of the earliest persons to officially declare their interest in occupying the Nation’s number one political seat.
In declaring his intention, Tinubu during his visit to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja where he informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention, said there is nothing wrong in a kingmaker becoming the king himself.
4. Rochas Okorocha (APC)
Former Imo State Governor and incumbent Imo West Senator, Rochas Okorocha, is one of the chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with their sight on the 2023 presidency.
Okorocha is not a stranger to the presidential contest having ran for the same position on three different occasions previously.
5. Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi
Okunnu-Lamidi is a 38-year-old media and advertising professional from Lagos State who has indicated an interest in the 2023 presidency. She is arguably the first woman to openly declare interest in the nation’s top political job against 2023.
She is the daughter of former Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing, Lateef Femi Okunnu (SAN) and married to Adeshola Lamidi.
It is not clear on which political platform she intends to actualise her dreams.
6. Yahaya Bello (APC)
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is one of the northern aspirants interested in occupying the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in 2023.
The politician who has not hidden his interest met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, 15th February 2022.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Bello said he came to inform the President of his intention to join the 2023 presidential race.
The Kogi governor said he has the required qualities to succeed President Buhari in 2023, stressing the need for a young, vibrant, experienced, energetic leader to become the next leader of the country.
7. Aminu Tambuwal (PDP)
Tambuwal is the current Governor of Sokoto State and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum.
Tambuwal who recently disclosed his intention to contest the presidential seat after a stakeholders’ meeting in Sokoto State would be seeking to clinch the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The PDP chieftain while speaking at the declaration said he is prepared and ready to fix the challenges rocking the progress of the country.
8. David Umahi (APC)
The Ebonyi State Governor is another sitting Governor who has expressed interest in becoming Nigeria’s President in 2023.
Umahi who defected from the PDP to the APC has also informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition. He also argued that his chances of clinching the APC ticket are not threatened by the fact that he recently joined the ruling party and has to contend with other party big wigs.
9. Chukwuka Monye
Mr Monye is a businessman and 2023 presidential aspirant from Delta State. He has chosen the slogan “our future is now” but is yet to declare the party platform he intends to use to realize his dreams.
10. Dele Momodu (PDP)
Dele Momodu is a media mogul and publisher of Ovation Magazine. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain who officially returned to the party in October 2021, made his intention known in January 2022 while speaking to reporters after a meeting with the opposition party chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, in Abuja.
The former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2011 election said he met with the Ayu to present him with a letter of interest to join the presidential race.
11. Sam Ohuabunwa (PDP)
Mazi Samuel Iheanyichukwu Ohuabunwa is a Nigerian pharmacist, politician, and business tycoon.
He is a former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
The 71-year-old seeks to clinch the PDP ticket.
12. Anyim Pius Anyim (PDP)
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim after initially distancing himself from the 2023 presidential race has made a U-turn and officially joined the race.
He intends to run on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
13. Kingsley Moghalu (ADC)
The presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party in the 2019 general elections, Kingsley Moghalu, has also officially announced his presidential ambition.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor in a post on his Twitter account noted that he is not waiting for any fake call before he declares his intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election.
Moghalu further stated that he is running on a vision and not on ethnic identity politics, adding that he is capable like any other candidate contesting in the race.
14. Sani Yerima (APC)
Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Sani Yerima, is seeking election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He recently declared that zoning cannot stop his aspiration to become the next President of the country in 2023, arguing that zoning is not recognised by the country’s constitution and should be rejected by everyone.
15. Nonye Josephine Ezeanyaeche
A 102-year-old woman identified as Mrs Nonye Josephine Ezeanyaeche has recently declared her intention to join the 2023 presidential race in Nigeria.
Ezeanyaeche said if the younger generation is not ready to take up the challenge of leading the nation, then she will throw her hat into the ring.
She made her intention known during a recent visit to the management team of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Abuja where she was received by the NTA Director-General, Yakubu Ibn Mohammed.
Her declaration is however believed in many quarters to be a satirical declaration.
16. Doyin Okupe (PDP)
Former presidential media aide, Doyin Okupe, declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He, however, vowed to step down voluntarily if the party’s ticket is zoned to the southeast.
17. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC)
Former Abia State Governor and current Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, is another 2023 presidential aspirant hoping to clinch the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
After declaring his ambition, Kalu stated that the presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, is not a threat to his presidential bid.
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