By Janet Samuel
Former National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole has formally declared his intention to contest in the forthcoming presidential election under the platform of the APC.
The two-term governor of Edo state made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja.
Oshoimhole said, “I am confident that I have what it takes to lead Nigeria with the vast experience I have gathered in serving the people at different levels of government.”
He said he was not contesting to win to lament the imperfections in the country, but he was contesting to set Nigeria on the path of greatness.
“I have had the opportunity to speak truth to power, engage power and wrestled with power about economic policies and social infrastructure.
“The task before us is to cooperate and not antagonise, I have not come to lament imperfection but to discuss how to provide lasting solutions with courage and provide jobs-led growth and not jobless growth” he said.
He also expressed his confidence to be the one person who will take over from president Muhammed Buhari come May 29, 2023.
The former governor of Edo state while unveiling his presidential agenda, said he will appropriately tax the rich to provide amenities for the poor.
“It is in the interest of the rich to pay that tax so they can enjoy their wealth. If we can subsidise petroleum products to the tune of trillions then we can subsidise education, agriculture etc” he said.
Oshiomhole, who is also a former APC National Chairman, said if elected President, he will insist that textile and automobile companies who want the continued patronage of Nigerians must relocate their factories to Nigeria to give jobs to the teeming youths of the country.
Oshiomhole is joining other APC aspirants including, Kogi state Gov. Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi seeking to succeed Buhari.
