Statement
by Mr. Tambuwal announcing his withdrawal from the presidential primaries of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 Presidential Election.
PROTOCOLS
A
few days ago, precisely on Friday the 14th of November,2014 a group of friends,
associates, colleagues and admirers cutting across all ages, ethnic, social,
religious, political and geographical divides presented to me the Expression of
Interest and Nomination forms for me to participate in the presidential
primaries of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the 2015 Presidential
Election.
2.
On that auspicious occasion, being profoundly humbled, I requested for a little
more time to conclude my last round of the series of nationwide consultations
which indeed I was just about to conclude.
3.
Let me state that the 14th November event was neither an accidental nor sudden
happenstance, rather it was another high point of similar goodwill surprises I
had experienced in the last two years when I started receiving in audience,
colleagues, individuals, groups and delegations of prominent Nigerians on this
subject matter.
4.
I wish to seize this occasion to commend, most highly, these patriotic and
selfless colleagues, admirers, individuals and groups for their sacrifice,
diligence and single-mindedness in the pursuit of what they honestly believe is
in the best interest of our fatherland. I am fully aware of the physical,
financial and intellectual resources all of you have expended in this regard
besides the sheer volume of valuable time and the travel risk of crisscrossing
to compare notes and confirm projections. Indeed I can not thank you enough.
5.
When upon genuine conviction I decided to commence extensive consultations
towards taking a decision as to whether or not to participate in the contest
for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it was not to
actualize a personal ambition, but rather to actualize our dream for a new
Nigeria.
6.
Ever since news of the possibility of my participation in the presidential
contest got into the public domain, it has generated monumental interest,
analyses and commentary. I have also, both personally and through prominent
leaders across party lines and beyond, consulted extensively and I must say
that I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and interest.
On my part and
with the greatest sense of modesty and responsibility I wish to assure
Nigerians that I am fully prepared, ready, willing, determined, available and
armed with the requisite plans, programmes and ability, to undertake the great
mission of rescuing our dear country from the clutches of institutionalized
corruption, gross incompetence, greed and divisiveness. I am prepared for the
great task of rescuing Nigeria from the security problems, the scandalous youth
unemployment, and the economic and social malaise that plague her.
7.
Given the opportunity, ours would be a clean, corrupt-free, competent and
purposeful government: to deal with the inexplicable paradoxes that have held
us hostage for over a hundred years: the paradox of ever growing abject poverty
in the midst of plenty; the paradox of ever growing menace of corruption in the
face of the collective capacity of Nigerians to eradicate same, the paradox of
decaying infrastructure especially epileptic power supply in the face of
abundant natural resources; the paradox of glaring internal insecurity in the
face of a gallant military, police and other security agencies that have
excelled in peace keeping and enforcement abroad. Indeed a government that
would deploy extraordinary ways and means where such becomes inevitable within
the ambit of the law.
8.
The problems I speak about are real and glaring. Over the past three and a half
years of presiding over 359 equals, I often had occasion to discuss peculiar
constituency problems with my colleagues but most importantly I have visited
over 300 hundred Federal constituencies across the country and seen for myself
abject poverty of our people particularly the majority of the population that
reside in the rural areas, I have experienced, first hand, total absence of
essential social facilities and decaying infrastructure, where they exist at
all, and observed hopelessness in the eyes of millions of citizens. I deeply
feel the pulse of dejection of our people.
9.
I am convinced that with the progressive spirit and teamwork these objectives
are attainable under an All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
10.
I have carefully considered the concerns expressed by some of our leaders, whom
I deeply respect and whose support and counsel I enjoy, to the effect that my
entry into the presidential race at this point may necessitate having to rework
some equations on the political chessboard of the party.
11.
Having consulted widely, taking into consideration the concerns of some elders
of the party, I have decided to suspend my participation in the presidential
contest for now. I have done so as a sacrifice for the cohesion and unity of
the APC. I am suspending my participation in the presidential race for now
because I do not have any inordinate ambition to occupy any office. Nigeria is
a country too great to sacrifice on the altar of partisan politics and personal
ambition. What any one becomes in life is exclusively in the hands of God. Only
God gives power to whoever he pleases.
12.
I came into the APC to enhance and build. Therefore in the interest of our
great party, the APC, and indeed in the overriding national interest I wish to
appeal to all my associates, colleagues, supporters, admirers and friends
nationwide to show some understanding. It has not been easy coming to this
decision and I very well understand the frustration, disappointment and
disbelief of many who have committed so much to the project including
sacrificing not only their physical, financial and intellectual resources but
indeed their personal ambitions in the 2015 electoral contest.
13.
I pledge my loyalty to our party the APC and cooperation with my uncles and
senior brothers and colleagues who are already in the race for the APC
Presidential ticket: I refer to General Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Rochas Okorocha and Mr Sam
Ndah- Isaiah. There is no doubt that they are all eminently qualified.
14.
To all my associates, colleagues, friends, admirers across Nigeria, who have
faith that I am that instrument for the change we all desire, I assure you that
your faith is not in vain. It is noble and will endure until this great nation
of ours is rescued from the clutches of institutionalized corruption, gross
incompetence, greed and divisiveness.
I charge you to be comforted that your
strength lies not in the limited capacity of a single leader, but rather in the
collective capacity of the millions of great citizens of this nation. One day,
and I believe not too long away, this formidable collective capacity will be
ignited and the good Lord will lift Nigeria high up where she belongs.
15.
God bless you all and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Rt.
Hon. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL
SPEAKER,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
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