Moghalu said he has no intention to run for president in 2023 on any other party platform
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Prof Kingsley Moghalu, former presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged his supporters and the general public who had intended to vote for him to cast their ballot for the candidate that comes closest to “our shared vision of a Nigeria that is secured, united, and prosperous.”
Moghalu, who announced that he had no intention to run for president in 2023 on any other party platform despite pressure, said the best chance to achieve the vision of a secured, united and prosperous Nigeria is under a transformative leadership that represents a break from the old political order.
He, however, did not name any presidential candidate as his preferred choice.
Recall that Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was the presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in 2019 elections, but defected to ADC in the build up to the 2023 party primaries to pursue his presidential aspiration.
But after losing the ADC primaries to Dumebi Kachikwu on June 8 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Moghalu resigned from the party.
Moghalu, a lawyer and political economist said in a statement which he sent to TheNiche on Monday night that several invitations had been extended to him by a number of other political parties to still be presented as a presidential candidate in the 2023 general election on their party platforms.
But he said the offers notwithstanding, he has opted not to be a candidate in this electoral cycle.
“At this time, I have no plans to become a member of any other political party for the purpose of the 2023 general elections.
“However, I intend to remain keenly engaged in our country’s immediate future, including the elections, with contributions that are appropriate and can be helpful to nation-building.”
In the statement titled, “2023: A Better Nigeria is Possible,” which he personally signed as King, Moghalu said despite his decision not to contest the presidency, he will, however, remain keenly engaged in Nigeria’s immediate future, including the 2023 elections.
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The statement reads:
Dear friends,
Many political associates, supporters and other Nigerians have wondered over the past couple of weeks what my next steps will be since I resigned from my membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on grounds of principle after the party’s recent presidential primaries.
I have reflected carefully on this question, considering the emerging dynamics of the presidential contest, the larger picture beyond my individual aspiration, and family considerations. My conclusions — and guidance for my teeming supporters across the country —are as follows:
1. Invitations extended to me by a number of other political parties to still be presented as a presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections on their party platforms notwithstanding, I have opted not to be a candidate in this electoral cycle. My campaign was always based on a vision for our country as set out in my manifesto book Build, Innovate and Grow (BIG), and a desire to serve, not on any inordinate personal ambition. Nevertheless, I am humbled by the recognition of the strength and impact of my political brand in our country today by the parties that invited me to take their ticket.
2. At this time, I have no plans to become a member of any other political party for the purpose of the 2023 general elections. However, I intend to remain keenly engaged in our country’s immediate future, including the elections, with contributions that are appropriate and could be helpful to nation-building.
3. To my supporters who already have tickets from party primaries to contest for down-ballot electoral offices under the ADC, you have my full support for your electoral races and my prayers for your victory. To those who held tickets but resigned from the party in solidarity with me, and who still wish to contest elections, there are alternative avenues that can be explored.
4. For those supporters and the general public who had intended to vote for me as a presidential candidate in the general elections had I emerged as one, I ask you to cast your support and ballot in the 2023 election to the candidate that comes closest to our shared vision of a Nigeria that is secured, united, and prosperous. The best chance to achieve this vision is under transformative leadership that represents a break from the old political order.
5. A better Nigeria is possible. The journey to bring this vision into reality is a most urgent and essential one. Our children must experience a tomorrow that is much better than our today.
Thank you.
Kingsley Bosah Chiedu Ayodele Moghalu, Ph.D. OON FCIB
Ifekaego of Nnewi Kingdom
June 27, 2022