Transport minister Rotimi Amaechi says he is the best qualified aspirant to be given the All Progressives Congress presidential ticket because he is the youngest and most experienced politician who had governed a state.
Mr Amaechi will turn 57 on May 27 this year. Other figures contesting to clinch the APC presidential ticket include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (65) and APC national leader Bola Tinubu (70), among others.
Mr Amaechi said if given the opportunity, he would end the insecurity and continue the infrastructure transformation of President Muhammadu Buhari across Nigeria.
Being 56 years old, the youngest among the APC presidential aspirants and the most experienced that had governed a state, Mr Amaechi said he would be the right candidate to fly the ruling party’s presidential flag.
The transport minister also disclosed that he would resign from office on Monday.
He explained that in pursuant to economic prosperity, he would continue and expand the agricultural programmes Mr Buhari’s regime started.
“What I will do is to ensure that we grow what we eat and grow what we export; we will grow our economy with value addition,” stressed the transport minister. “If you vote for me I will ensure that all these things are put in place , everybody will come and ask for your vote, but look for that candidate who is a Nigerian candidate and will protect all.”
He stated this while speaking with Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the Kaduna delegates.
The delegates repeatedly said “yes” as they were asked three times by Mr El-Rufai if they supported power to shift to the South in the interest of justice and fairness.
Mr El-Rufai disclosed that he fended off pressures to buy a presidential form, believing that power should shift to the South for justice and fairness and that he had long made public his position in that regard.
Responding to comments from Mr Amaechi and his campaign director-general Ali Ndume, Mr El-Rufai acknowledged the friendship they shared and the contributions the transport minister made in ensuring the victory of the APC in 2015.
Mr El-Rufai noted that Kaduna delegates would listen to all presidential aspirants who wanted to engage them.
