2023: Mokelu Joins APC Presidential Race as 28th Aspirant

Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu, on Tuesday in Abuja, picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest its 2023 presidential ticket with other aspirants.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that Mokelu, who was the last aspirant to pick the forms as sale ends, was a former Minister of Information and Culture in the military administration of late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Mr. Timothy Amah, a member of Mokelu Campaign Organization confirmed the purchase of the forms to newsmen.
He expressed optimism that Mokelu would emerge as the APC 2023 presidential candidate at its primaries slated for May, 30 and June 1 because of his experiences.
According to him, Mokelu’s presidency will apply the values of honor, character, and integrity in the application of efficient and sustainable governance at all levels of government and in the three arms of government.
NAN further reports that Mokelu is the 28th aspirant to purchase the APC 2023 presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the cost of N100 million.
The aspirant had earlier said that he was joining the 2023 presidential race after due consultations, adding that he was convinced that he was qualified to take on the challenge of moving the country to the next phase of her
development.
“I have a rich political and polity pedigree. I was born and mentored by two great nationalists and independence fighters.

“My belief in the enduring legacy of our forefathers led me to develop and encourage the crafting of various elements of what is today, the 1999 Constitution.

“It is on record that during my short tenure in office as Minister of Information and Culture, I fostered one of the best relationships with the media and civil society, even at the risk of losing my job,” Mokelu had said.

Mokelu was a delegate to the National Constitutional Conference between 1994 and 1995 where he served as chairman of several subcommittees, including security, power-sharing, and social welfare among others.

Popularly called Onwa, Mokelu was the founder and convener of #Istandwithbuhari, an APC movement established in all the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.
He was also the initiator of #Handshake Across Nigeria and Movement for Brotherliness Across Nigeria.
Some of those in the APC 2023 presidential race included: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation and Sen. Rochas Okorocha, immediate past Imo governor.

Others are Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labor and Productivity, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, the Minister of State for Education, Gov. David Umuahi of Ebonyi, and Sen. Ken Nnamani.

Also in the race are Ekiti governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun Central) and former two-term governor of Ogun, Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Pastor Tunde Bakare.

Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, a former APC National Chairman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology and Ms. Uju Ohanenye, a female aspirant and Mr. Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor are also in the race among others.

The APC special presidential primary convention is scheduled to hold from May 30, 2023.

Presidency Dismisses Call for Tenure Elongation, Says May 29, 2023 Remains Sacrosanct

The Presidency has dismissed Chief Roberts Clarke’s call for the extension of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration by six months.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He restated that Buhari would handover to democratically elected winners of the forthcoming 2023 general elections be May 29.

The presidential media aide stated that the Buhari administration was committed to extending and entrenching democratic values across the country.

He affirmed that respect for the constitution and Nigerians’ democratic rights remains the best path to securing and maintaining peace.

The statement read in part: ”In response to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria’s recent remarks, the Presidency wishes to state as follows:

”Chief Robert Clarke, a very well-respected elder may be sincere in his wish for the President to extend his term by six months.

”We wish to categorically restate that the President will step down on May 29th, 2023, after serving two terms – as per the constitution.

”Having been the first recipient of a democratic transfer of power from an incumbent administration to an opposition candidate in Nigerian history, the President is committed to extending and entrenching democratic values across the country.

”He shall, in turn, hand the privilege of serving the people of Nigeria to whomever they choose through free, fair and credible elections.

”However, Chief Clarke is right to say that without security, Nigeria would not likely realize its true potential as a peaceful and prosperous nation. That is why it has been at the core of this administration.

”The results are there for all to see. Boko Haram have been forced back from controlling whole swathes of this country. Internally Displaced Persons are now returning to rebuild their communities.”

According to Shehu, these achievements have been accomplished through the bravery and determination of the Nigerian armed forces and the fortitude of the citizens.

“New challenges have arisen and tackled in turn – whether it’s the National Livestock Transformation Plan to alleviate herder-farmer clashes, the elimination of the leadership of ISWAP, or new efforts to combat banditry.”

He maintained that until the last day of the administration, ”the security of the citizens shall remain the administration’s paramount concern.

”We shall finish the job. Yet, in any case, respect for the constitution and Nigerians’ democratic rights remains the best path to securing and then maintaining peace”.

Shehu also reacted to an earlier call by Chief Afe Babalola that the 2023 general elections be suspended in view of the nation’s security challenges.

He said: ”Yet there are others, such as Chief Afe Babalola, that believe elections should be suspended, with the current elected government replaced by an interim unelected administration.

”This, he claims, is necessary to create a new constitution for the people, made possible, paradoxically, by ignoring their democratic rights. Down that path lies crisis and instability.

”Instead, this administration proposes something entirely simpler: honoring the constitution and people’s right to decide.”
End