Declaration of interest to contest for the number one seat has been flying around from prospective candidates as Nigeria braces up to elect her 16th president in the forthcoming general elections slated for February 18, 2023.
Every election comes with preparations by the electoral body, the general public, and more importantly, the aspirants who have to market themselves to Nigerians in order to emerge as the first-choice candidate.
AllNews Nigeria has compiled the list of candidates who have so far declared their interest in the presidential seat.
Bola Ahmed TinubuTinubu, a popular figure in the Nigerian political scene is a party chieftain and a former governor of Lagos State. He is also the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The controversial Asiwaju of Lagos declared his interest to contest the position of Nigeria's President on Monday, January 10, 2022, after a closed-door meeting with President Buhari at the presidential villa where he notified the president of his intention.
Before the announcement, there had been speculation that the former governor of Lagos State was interested in the presidency. According to Cornelius Ojelabi, the chairman of Lagos APC, Tinubu's political clan had been waiting for his declaration for so long.
In the 2019 election, Tinubu supported President Buhari's re-election. Now, he wants to wear the same shoes. In his words, "I'm a kingmaker, I want to be a king".
The chieftain is convinced about his confidence, vision, and capacity to rule.
The incumbent governor of Ebonyi State and the chairman of the South East Governors' Forum, Governor David Umahi has also declared his intention to run for the presidency in the 2023 elections.
Just like Tinubu, he has declared his intention to run for the position under the umbrella of the All Progressive Congress (APC). He made this declaration at a press briefing on Tuesday, January 11, 2023, after he met with President Buhari just 24 hours after Tinubu declared his intention to the president.
"If the party throws the ticket open or the zone to the southern part of Nigeria, I believe that with what I have put in place in the past six years plus, I will be running for the presidency on the platform of APC," Governor Umahi.
According to the governor, President Buhari believes whoever wants to run for the presidency in the country must consult widely.
Governor Umahi is assured that God chooses whomever He wills and he (the governor) is in a contest with no one but himself.
Atiku Abubakar
The former Vice President of Nigeria and businessman, Atiku Abubakar is set to declare his intention for the presidency in the first quarter of 2022 as revealed on Monday, January 10, 2022.
The first runner-up in the 2019 presidential race, has not given up his dream of becoming the president of the country. His 2019 manifesto, 'Make Nigeria Great Again' is being reviewed as he feels the need to include important ideas while he takes out the ones that are no longer needed.
He however believes that the issues that were present in 2019 persist, although a lot has changed.
Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the former chairman of DAAR communications, is strongly behind Atiku in his pursuit.
Yahaya BelloThe 46-year-old governor of Kogi State has since 2021 expressed his desire to contest for the seat of the president of Nigeria in the 2023 elections. The young politician under the APC aims to be the youngest president ever.
He has so far received support from both the young and the old as a large percentage of the country’s population has a thirst for a young and vibrant candidate like the Kogi State Governor.
Bello's endorsements and support groups, including religious bodies spread across the six geopolitical zones, give him a good edge. The presidential aspirant recently opened his campaign office in Abuja on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
Anyim Pius AnyimThe former president of the Nigerian Senate, Pius Anyim recently declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2023. The politician from the south-East zone in Abuja said he would contest for the position whether or not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of which he is a member, zones the ticket to the South-East.
The former Senate President is set to roll out activities for his 2023 presidential ambition. He recently stated this in Abuja. He was also recently endorsed by the South-East PDP in Enugu.
Senator Anyim believes that he is experienced enough to be Nigeria’s President and that it is clear from his record as President of the Senate and Secretary to the Government of the federation that he is more interested in building strong institutions than gaining power for personal use.
Bukola SarakiAnother former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, also announced his intention to run for the Presidency in the 2023 elections. He revealed this to Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State, and other members of the State Working Committee in November 2021 during his visit to Makurdi.
The former governor has been endorsed by Benue and FCT PDP. According to him, the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress, has not done well in ruling the country, but he is willing to save Nigeria from her dilemma.
Aminu Tambuwal
Aminu Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto State and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria is one of the governors who wish to contest for the 2023 Presidential seat under the PDP.
The governor who claimed to have pursued his presidential ambition in 2014 but changed his mind after consulting, said he was still consulting in November 2021 and would decide after his consultations.
The Youth Initiative for Sustainable Leadership and Good Governance is sure of Governor Tambuwal's capability to earn the position and wants him to contest.
Bala MohammedThe governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, under the PDP platform in July 2021 announced the party’s approval of him to contest for President in 2023.
The National Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has endorsed him, threatening not to support him if he fails to run for president. Governor Bala also mentioned that he has been approved for the contest by the State Working Committee of PDP.
The governor however expressed his satisfaction in governing a state but is also positive about serving the country at any level.
Orji KaluThe former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, announced his interest in the 2023 presidential race on the condition that APC zones its presidential ticket to the South-East region. He said he has not made up his mind but thanked those who have been putting up his posters all over the country.
The former governor is willing to support any candidate if the party eventually zones the ticket to another region but hopes the party considers his region.
Khadijah Okunnu
38-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Slice Media Solutions, Kadijat Okunnu Lamidi, has also declared her interest in the presidential race. The philanthropist made this declaration at Freedom Park, Lagos State on Monday, January 3, 2022.
The media executive, in a media conference, revealed that one of her objectives for joining the race is to work in the public's interest and to help the youth utilize their strength positively such that the country becomes one to contend with.
In the confident rookie's words, "I am here to activate all people, the old, the poor, the rich; to unite around a common ideal based on a consensus about a superior national development agenda."
Dele MomoduMedia mogul Otunba Dele Momodu has declared his intention to run for the 2023 presidency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Momodu indicated his interest while handing a letter to the PDP National Chairman at the party’s secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, January 13, 2022.
According to Momodu, the move became necessary because he can not run for the presidency without the nomination of his party.
The former presidential candidate under the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2011 election said that Nigeria urgently requires a reset and a total redirect which he is willing to give.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo
It might be surprising that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo did not make the list despite the fact that his involvement in the presidential election has been all over the media since 2021. While a good number of individuals and groups have declared their support for the Vice President and there are posters of him across the country, the Vice President is yet to openly declare his interest in the race.
Ultimately, while the list above includes names of presidential aspirants for the 2023 presidential elections, none of the political parties has elected their party's candidate as the primary elections are yet to be conducted.
Compiled and reported by Deborah Oyewole
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