Amaechi, who is also former Governor of Rivers State, while in Lokoja, the state capital today, May 21, to woo delegates ahead of the presidential primary of the party, called on the delegates to prevail on Governor Bello to step down his ambition for elderly people like him.
He said that though Governor Yahaya Bello is qualified to contest for the presidency, he’s still young and should make way for him to become the party flag bearer.
“This is the 28th state I will be visiting. I can no longer be called one of the APC aspirants because I have become the leading aspirant.”
Amaechi said that he deserved the ticket ahead of other aspirants, explaining: “I was Speaker at the age of 34, Governor at the age of 42, and a minister in my early 50s. I have acquired the needed experiences to lead Nigeria.
“I am a former Chairman of Speakers forum, two-term Chairman of Governorship forum, coupled with my interaction as Presidential DG campaign, I have what it takes to lead a country like ours.”
He said that even though he was aware that Governor Bello is a contestant, he as an older, with more experience should be given the chance to lead so that he will provide him with the needed experience in governance.
“I am aware that His Excellency is also a contestant, but I am the only leading contestant, older with more experience and I want to inform him that I will provide him with the necessary experience he needs to govern when the time comes.”
The Deputy Governor of the State, Edward Onoja who received the presidential aspirant on behalf of the Governor, urged Amaechi to visit the governor and deliberate with him, saying only Governor Bello can tell the delegates the direction to follow.
He said that the state remained an APC strong hold, assuring that they will deliver for the party in the next year general election the way they did in 2015 and 2019 general elections.
Amaechi was accompanied on the visit by the former Army Chief, Gen. Tukur Buratai.
