Nigeria’s Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi Joins 2023 Presidential Race

By Derrick Bangura

After months of speculations over his political ambition, Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Saturday declared his ambition to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Amaechi, who made the declaration in what was initially tagged a “thanksgiving service” at the sprawling Adokie Amesiemieka Sports Stadium at Igwuruta area of Rivers State, vowed to fight insecurity and promote the stability and unity of the country if elected president in 2023.
In his speech titled: ‘Forward with Courage,’ delivered at the special thanksgiving organised by the APC in Rivers State, the presidential aspirant said he arrived at the decision to contest for the highest level of leadership in the country after intensive consultations.
Amaechi noted that he has served the country for about 23 years in different capacities, ranging from being a Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of the state and presently, Minister of Transportation.
He said he is enriched with the governance system and understands the meaning of good leadership, adding that he would contribute to the development of the nation.

Amaechi acknowledged that the insecurity and other challenges facing Nigeria may be global problem, and vowed to tackle these challenges.
He noted that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has done well in building a better Nigeria, and promised to do more by improving the economy of the nation and complementing on the existing projects of the federal government.
The minister said that his aspiration is not about fulfilling any personal ambition but a moral duty to serve the country.
“I stand before you today to declare my intention and submit my application to serve as your next president. My aspiration is not about fulfilling any personal ambition. I am contesting for the office because I believe that it is my moral duty to give what I can in the service of my country.
“To sustain and intensify present efforts at solving our national problems, our democracy must ensure the emergence of a leadership that is equipped with broad experience in governance to ensure stability and continuity. To sustain our democracy and preserve our unity, we need a steady hand and a passion for success in a nation that remains united to pursue prosperity for all Nigerians.
“It is this combination of experience and patriotic passion that I bring to the table. I have been in the political arena for 23 years. I have served at every level of government – local, state, and federal. I have served both as a political appointee and an elected official. I have served both as an executive – as Governor of Rivers State and as a legislator – as Speaker of the State House of Assembly.