The Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Presidential aspirant, Governor, Kayode Fayemi has said the race for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should not sow seeds of discord among aspirants eyeing the presidency in 2023.
Fayemi who is also the Governor of Ekiti state said none of the aspirants should have any sense of entitlement to the ticket.
Fayemi stated this in his goodwill message delivered at the declaration of another aspirant, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in Abuja on Thursday.
Explaining why he was present at Amosun’s declaration barely 24 hours after his own, Fayemi said the contest should not lead to any form of quarrel among all the aspirants.
He said what is at stake is not a traditional title and as such no one should feel it is his birthright to take.
The Governor of Ekiti however noted that all the aspirants who have indicated their interest should be commended rather than being castigated.
With this declaration on Thursday, Amosun swells the number of aspirants in APC hoping to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
The row call includes a national leader of the party and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmad Tinubu (BAT) who was the first person to declare his intention to President Muhammadu Buhari in January.
Others are former APC National Chairman, Adam Oshiomhole, Buhari’s serving ministers like the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi, his counterpart in Labour, Chris Ngige, Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.
Also gunning for the top job are some serving Governors. They include the Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Governor of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi and his counterpart in Cross Rivers State, Ben Ayade.
From Amosun’s home state of Ogun comes very stiff opposition with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole throwing their hats into the ring
APC Presidential primary election is scheduled to hold on May 26.