2023 Presidency: ‘I’m Candidate For Justice, Not Zoning – Okorocha Declares

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  • Says ‘I’m not too old to run’; promises a new Nigeria

BY COBHAM NSA – Former Governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West district, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, on Monday officially declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2023, saying Nigeria needs a president who can create wealth.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain also described himself as a candidate for justice rather than the much-touted zoning arrangement being canvassed by some stakeholders across the nation’s political space.

He however urged the party leaders to create a level-playing field for all aspirants no matter their region, promising to establish a “New Nigeria” where issues of poverty and security will be adequately addressed for the overall good of all Nigerians.

Speaking extempore at a World Press Conference to formally declare interest in the Office of Nigeria’s President come 2023, Senator Okorocha said; “Permit me not to use a prepared speech because I want to pour out my heart. I speak with you in high spirit, because it despises little things that do not help mankind; it is called a noble spirit.

“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. And I appeal to my party, APC, to allow a level-playing ground. Also, 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.”

The former governor, who had also made his intention public on the floor of the Senate last week, promised to reunite the country if elected President, noting that Nigeria is currently facing serious socio-economic and security challenges which must be tackled head-on.

Teasing the audience with ‘I’m not too old to run’, Owelle Okorocha described himself as a bridge between the old and the young, adding; “I have no other country that I can call my country apart from Nigeria. I speak to you today, my Bible tells me that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. My heart is filled with mixed feelings, one side is joyous and the other side bleeds.

“I ran for the presidency 20 years ago, I did not succeed. Six years later, I tried and came second after Umaru Yar’Adua and in 2015, I ran and our dear president, Muhammadu Buhari, emerged. I am not in politics for what I can get, I am in politics for what I can give. I price honour more than life and glory more than wealth.”

On his vision of a ‘New Nigeria’, Okorocha said; “My heart bleeds because of that boy in Maiduguri or Katsina that cannot go to school. I’m not satisfied when poverty becomes the order of the day. Many countries have tagged us as the poverty capital of the world, I do not agree. The truth is that we are a great nation and the time will come when it will be made manifest.

Specifically addressing the youths on his mission to reposition Nigeria for the greater good of all citizens, the former Imo Governor said; “To the youths, If I become your president, I will hand-over to the next generation. I’m not not-too-young-to-run and not too old to run, I’m only 57. We have 14 million out-of-school children. I will declare free education, it is something I have done.”

He also noted that Nigeria’s biggest problem is hunger, saying; “I will address that in the New Nigeria. This nation is in dire need of someone that can create wealth, someone who can make money for this country. I will create wealth, I sold oranges – my wealth is clean, go and check my CCB [forms].”

With a pledge to serve and give Nigeria the best leadership going forward, Imo-born politician declared; “Please permit to be your pilot for a New Nigeria. As your pilot, there might be small turbulence, no problem, Captain Rochas is in command.”

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