Politics
“Why I’m most suitable for APC nat’l chairmanship seat”
Sheriff, who said this on Friday in Abuja at a press conference, adding that his aspiration is to lead the party to electoral victory in 2023.
“There is so much speculation, Ali-Modu Sheriff is not looking for a national APC chair position, he is looking to be a presidential candidate.
“Please, I want to put it on the record today, I am not looking for a president. I am looking for an APC National Chairman position.
“To be able to lead a campaign like we did in 2014 to make sure our father and leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, hands over power to another APC man as president.
“If I want to be president, I’m not afraid of anyone, but I don’t want to be president, I want to be national president of APC,” Sheriff said.
However, he noted that the APC at this time required a national president who enjoyed great political goodwill across party lines with the ability to drive development at all levels.
The bailiff added that with a wealth of experience managing political parties, he strategically placed himself ahead of other challengers with the good will to lead the APC to electoral victory in the 2023 general election and beyond.
The former governor of Borno for two terms said that he has been progressively involved in the enthronement and maintenance of democracy in the country.
He said he has been elected to the Senate three times, from 1994 to 1995, and a delegate to the Karibi-Whyte Justice Constitutional Conference that produced the 1999 Constitution, remains the best man for the job.
“In 1999, I was elected to the upper house of the National Assembly, and subsequently emerged as Senate Minority Leader from 2003 to 2011.
“I was elected for two consecutive terms as governor of Borno.
“As a former governor of Borno for two terms, in addition to massive infrastructure development, I left ₦69 billion in state conferrals in my delivery note,” he said.
While noting the variety of applicants for APC’s top job, the sheriff said they were all eminently qualified, but only one person could hold the position.
“With the utmost respect and humility, I dare to declare that I am that person because I have the skills and experience to unite different interests within the party and among the various groups in the country,” he said.
This, said the former governor of Borno, had placed him as the most suitable man for the job.
He said his mission was to transform the APC into a vehicle of greatness for Nigeria and to shape the party for a united Nigeria.
He added that with the collaboration of the government and the support of the Nigerians, he would achieve the technological greatness of the country.
He said his wish was to contribute immensely to the transformation of Nigeria, using APC as a tool to enthrone a better society for all and make people digitally-leaning.
Sheriff said that he also intended to transform the APC into a political institution for all, especially for the empowerment of youth and women for greater political participation.
He praised APC National Progressive Women for hosting the just concluded conference and said it was the first of its kind by any political party in Nigeria since the democratic dispensation.
Mr. Sheriff assured that the conclusions and communique reached at the conference would form part of his comprehensive agenda for the transformation of APC if he becomes its national president.
This, he said, particularly referred to the 35 percent affirmative action rate for women.
“The APC under our leadership will collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure the continuity of social investment programs in the interest of all Nigerians in general.
“We will also work with the National Assembly to guarantee the necessary laws with legislative backing.
“We will ensure the resolution of all contentious issues within the APC to ensure a united party before the 2023 general election so that we can enter the race as a united front,” he said.
He added that his administration will work to bring government at all levels closer to the people and create a political institution where party administration and good governance are taught.
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