Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has made it categorically clear that he is not going to contest the Presidency of Nigeria in the 2015 election as being speculated in many quarters across the country.
Oshiomhole explained that although he had received calls urging him to vie for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of his commitment to the Nigerian project, but that he would prefer to focus on accelerating the pace of development in Edo state.
He recalled that in 2007, shortly after the expiration of his tenure, as a two-term President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, he came under similar pressure from well-meaning Nigerians from across all the divides, including the late human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, to vie for the presidency.
According to the governor, APC as a political party has enough credible materials to fly its flag in the election.
In a statement today, personally signed by him, Oshiomhole declared: “I wish to categorically state that I am not contesting for the 2015 presidential election. My focus now is to continue with our efforts to accelerate the pace of our development programmes to take Edo State to the next level.
“Anyone conversant with my antecedents will attest that I am not the type who does things half-heartedly. If I had resolved to run in 2015 I would have come out boldly and publicly to declare my intention.
“But convinced that anyone genuinely interested in service could do so in any capacity, I insisted against popular demand not to contest the presidency but the Governorship of Edo State in 2007 and, to the Glory of God, I won. Again, in 2012, I sought re-election and resoundingly won.
“I remain absolutely committed to the Nigerian project. I offer this clarification to clear the air once and for all.”
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