TheCable

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the governor of Kano state, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing to put an end to “years of misrule” under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He joins three-time presidential aspirant, Muhammadu Buhari, who declared on October 15, and Atiku Abubakar, former vice president of Nigeria, who declared on September 24, promising to fight corruption.

Present at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, where the event took place were Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers state; Babatunde Fashola, the governor of Lagos state; Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti state; George Akume, a senator and former governor of Benue state; deputy governors and other top APC members.

Speaking at the event, George Akume, former governor of Benue state, lauded Kwankwaso for his achievement in Kano, saying he had stood the test of time and should be encouraged.

Akume said APC is capable of bringing about the desired transformation the country needs, dismissing President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as inept.

“Kwankwaso has been tested and tried. His achievements in Kano are evident,” he said.

“We need him in a position of trust and authority.

“Nigerians should come out and support this man who has what it takes. We don’t hate Jonathan. He could be a good man but his ideas are bad.”

When he was finally ushered onto the stage for his declaration, Kwankwaso expressed anger at the state of the country and urged voters to angrily vote out the PDP government.

“We must be very angry with what is happening in our country; we must be very angry that an inept government is presiding over our affairs,” he said.

“I therefore call on all Nigerians to unleash their anger on their ballot papers by voting PDP out of power in 2015.

“Change! Positive change is possible. Change! Progressive change is doable and we are agents of this change. We are the change. We should not only make it possible, we must make it achievable. Yes we must.”

He described APC as the only party that has what it takes to “stop this misrule of the PDP and also to reverse the stinking rot and decay that is suffocating” the country.

“Our party is the only party that is built in Nigeria with Nigerians in focus,” he continued.

“We are the only party that practises internal democracy, that believes in equal rights, that values our cultural diversities, [the only party] that regards the rule of law and believes in free and fair election.

“Nigeria of our dream is far from where we are today. Armed-robbery, kidnapping, unfortunate indiscriminate arrest and persistent disappointment are what we have been witnessing under the watch of the incompetent PDP-led administration.

“Nigerian education and health sectors are facing crisis of lack of infrastructure, low motivation and brain drain. Toying with the education of our children and youths is akin to passing a death sentence on an entire generation.

“How can we grow when the wealth of this nation is being stolen by the very trustees of the wealth? Where on this planet do we have a nation so endowed and yet again so impoverished? That is why we must rally around and replace this PDP government with a progressive and responsive APC administration under my stewardship.

“Corruption is one of the veritable nutrients of insecurity. The strategy of the present PDP administration to perpetuate itself in power is divisive. It is most unfortunate that this administration uses religious, ethnic, sectional and other primordial sentiments to cover, protect and promote corruption in public life.

“Today, I take this call and formally declare my interest to seek election as the APC Presidential candidate in the 2015 presidential election.

“My crave to serve and save our country drove me to join in the race for the house of representatives, representing Kano state years ago. The call to save our country has never been louder, clearer and more unambiguous than now. Governance has been reduced to incompetence and mediocrity. To save our country, we must walk the journey however difficult.”