Nigeria: Aspirants are Emerging 365 Days Before the Presidential Election

By Derrick Bangura.

Today marks one year until the 2023 presidential election, and candidates from the two main political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as others, are vying for the most desired post in the land. They’ve begun to toss their hats into the ring to show their interest.
Despite the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has yet to blow the whistle signaling the start of electioneering, the political space is buzzing with the activities of potential aspirants who have begun doing the legwork early – meeting key stakeholders in an effort to sell their aspiration and win critical endorsement.
Despite the fact that roughly 11 people from various backgrounds have formally declared their intentions to run for their party’s ticket, many of the big names rumored to be eyeing the presidency have yet to make a formal statement, despite their footprints being all over the political landscape. Every event, whether official or unauthorized, has become a political rally of some form.
The political environment is expected to be congested in the coming months, with the big names currently holding consultations in secret and not-so-hidden locations – finally coming out to make their formal presentation.
Those who have so far declared are listed below.

Tinubu Bola
Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Lagos State Governor, has been busy traveling throughout the country and engaging with various interest groups and individuals since informing President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition to succeed him. Already, organisations like SWAGA, which stands for “South-West Agenda for Asiwaju,” are traversing the country to push Tinubu’s candidacy. SWAGA is made up of Tinubu’s acolytes and yes men.

Sam Ohuabunwa
Sam Ohuabunwa, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, has indicated that he will run for President in the 2023 general elections on the Peoples Democratic Party platform (PDP). Ohuabunwa, who has decried the country’s deteriorating socio-economic and political realities, is confident that he has what it takes to transform Nigeria. The need to create a new Nigeria free of injustice, he claimed, was the greatest challenge that propelled his presidential ambition.

Anyim Pius Anyim
Ayim Pius Anyim, the former Senate President and one-time Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has declared his candidacy for the presidency. He believes it is past time for someone from the Southeast to lead the country, and he has pledged to run for president regardless of whether the presidency is designated to his region or not. He is convinced that the next president will be capable of rebuilding, protecting lives and property, reviving the economy, creating jobs, and rehabilitating the country’s shattered educational system. According to him, the challenge at hand demanded a leader with the political experience, vision, and qualifications to lead the PDP to success. He feels he has what it takes to lead the country in these tough times.

 

Momodu Dele
Dele Momodu announced his presidential ambitions last month in Ihevbe, Edo State’s Owan East Local Government Area. He remains the best competent among those wanting to succeed Buhari next year, according to the journalist and publisher of Ovation International magazine. He claims that while he has never served as a governor, senator, or minister, he has sat with the powerful and that he is qualified to be the country’s president.

 

Moghalu, Kingsley
Kingsley Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has announced his ambition to run for president in 2023. Moghalu had stated that his intention to run for president again was motivated by concern for Nigerians who are suffering and seeking an alternative to the status quo. In 2019, the former CBN deputy governor ran for president of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), but then switched to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

 

Monye Chukwuka
Chukwuka Monye, a 43-year-old technocrat, stated in January that the moment has come to take over administration from the older generation. To that aim, the Delta State native has stated his desire to run for president in the 2023 general elections. Monye, whose tagline is “our future is today,” questioned whether Nigeria’s founding fathers would be satisfied with the country’s current status. Monye, on the other hand, has yet to reveal the party platform on which he plans to run.

 

Okorocha Rochas
Rochas Okorocha, a senator from Imo West, recently expressed interest in running for president in the 2023 general elections. In a letter to Senate President Ahmad Lawan dated January 25, the former governor of Imo State stated that what Nigeria requires now is someone who is “detribalized” and capable of uniting the country. This would be the politician’s third time putting his hat in the ring, claiming to have established multiple schools for underprivileged Nigerians across the country.

 

Tambuwal, Aminu
Sokoto state governor Aminu Tambuwal is currently in office. Under the Peoples Democratic Party, the politician would endeavor to realize his ambition. Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, who announced his desire following a recent high-level stakeholder meeting in Sokoto, claimed he is not only well equipped but also eager to address the country’s various problems. Tambuwal, who is known for his urbane demeanor, will compete against other opposition party candidates in the party’s convention.

Umahi, David
David Umahi, the current governor of Ebonyi State, announced his presidential ambitions in 2023 in the State House in Abuja, just 24 hours after Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State, expressed interest in the race. Both men are APC (All Progressives Congress) members (APC). After meeting with Buhari, Umahi told a press conference that his administration would emulate his “progressive initiatives” in Ebonyi at the national level. When he met with Buhari to inform him of his plan, the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum stated he intends to bring a business-like mentality to governance, adding that Buhari replied to his interest by asking him to seek the support of the people.

Yahaya Bello

Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, was one of the first Nigerians to express interest in running for president in 2023 under the current APC flag. Bello, on the other hand, spoke out in Bauchi when addressing APC legislators and women’s organisations from the North-east during an extraordinary gathering held at the Hazibal hotel a few weeks ago.
The Kogi governor, who has always emphasized his youth as a strength, has termed the work ahead as monumental.

Sani Yerima

The ex-Zamfara governor, Sani Yerima, has also declared his intention to govern the country. The politician while speaking during a BBC Hausa Service programme “Gane Mani Hanya” monitored in Gusau, said since Buhari is ending his second term, he (Yerima) would continue to pursue his presidential ambition.
“If God spares my life, by 2023 I would go into the contest for the post of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ” Yerima said.

Okunnu-Lamidi, Khadijah
Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, a young entrepreneur and youth development advocate, has promised to make Nigeria work for its diverse population if given the opportunity. She promised to use Nigeria’s teeming young to unlock the country’s latent potential, which she described as a global force to be reckoned with. Lateef Femi Okunnu, the former Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing, is her father (SAN).
Some of Those Who Have Not Yet Declared…

Yemi Osinbajo
With an increasing number of organizations voicing support for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and asking him to run for President in 2023, there is speculation that he could declare his interest soon. Osinbajo certainly looks to want to run for president, but he is holding his cards close to his chest for the time being. His body language confirms this. Nigerians, on the other hand, are watching to see how Osinbajo will go head-to-head with his mentor, Bola Tinubu, in order to realize his desire.

 

Atiku Abubakar
Despite apparent opposition to his candidacy, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar intends to run for President again in 2023. Adamu Atiku, Atiku’s son, announced that his father would run for president in 2023. While some interest groups have recently advised the former vice president not to run for president and dubbed him the “serial presidential aspirant,” Atiku appears unconcerned. He is simply interested in becoming the president of Nigeria.

 

Godwin Emefiele .
The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has been increasingly urged to run for president. A charismatic technocrat with enticing credentials – unquestionably a breath of fresh air in the political sphere. Despite the fact that Emefiele is constitutionally qualified to run for president, he has stated that he stays focused on his work and would continue to support the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government’s economic recovery efforts. Emefiele also feels that it is President Buhari’s prerogative to plan his succession in order to ensure Nigeria’s peace and growth.

 

Rotimi Amaechi
Despite the fact that Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State, has not stated his desire to run for president, several interest groups in the country have been pressuring him to do so. Some claim that, at 56, Amaechi is free of the old age-related health problems that plague some hopefuls. Many have linked his recent coronation as Dan Amanah Daura, which translates to ‘Trusted son of Daura,’ to his presidency in 2023.

 

Saraki, Bukola
The former Governor of Kwara State has not conducted a formal announcement of his candidacy, but he has intimated on multiple occasions on his active Twitter and Facebook accounts that he will most likely run for the most coveted position. On one occasion lately, the former Senate President recounted an encounter with a Twitter follower who urged him to run for President, and in his response, he hinted at the idea.
“Earlier today, I responded to a Twitter follower who, like thousands of others, has been calling for a united front to #RescueNigeria. As we prepare for the path ahead, I hope that we can all work together to secure the ticket of our great party, the PDP, and build a nation that is prosperous.

 

Mohammed Bala
Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has stated that he intends to run for president in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is currently consulting with stakeholders around the country, including former President Goodluck Jonathan.