Presidential Aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi says he can tackle insecurity in Nigeria as he did when he was governor of Rivers State.
He said his decision to run for president is borne out of the need to serve and provide selfless leadership to Nigerians.
Mr. Amaechi stated this when he paid a consultative visit to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State Thursday.
He said his experience in dealing with hoodlums and others who terrorised Rivers State after he became governor gives him leverage to tackle the insecurity plaguing the country.
"I was a speaker for eight years. So, I come with experience. I have served as governor in a state where people were being kidnapped, people were being killed, robbery was on the increase, people couldn't go out in Port Harcourt, parties weren't going on, and the health sector was bad.
“But, in six months I chased away the criminals, got people to go back to work, and restored sanity in the State.
“So, I am the only aspirant that does not only come with experience but has served in a State where there was insecurity,” he said.
The presidential aspirant also visited the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I.
Amaechi said he would be a president that will protect the interest of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion.
"I come with the national interest.
“I am 56 years old, I am energetic, I am strong and if you work with me you will know that it's a bit difficult to get me tired.
“So, because I come with that energy, it separates me from the rest of the candidates who are running with me,” he said.
He urged members of Lagos APC to vote for him in the party’s primary slated for May.
“I have come to talk to your conscience because it is about Nigeria.
“It's not about my father, it's not about my brother, It's about the nation.
"We are at the point where our decisions will make the difference in moving the country forward.
“We are at the point where we can appeal to our conscience that our votes should count in making sure that we would not regret it after the election.
“So, put your votes for me. What separates me from the rest of the candidates in the party is that I am young and if you look at all of us, I come with experience.”
Protect the Sanctity of the Party -Lagos APC
The state chairman of the APC, Cornelius Ojelabi in his response, noted that there is a need for all members of the APC to collectively protect the sanctity of the party.
He also commended Mr. Amaechi for his courage and for the role he played during the party's formation stage.
He urged the minister to apply the same discretion to properly manage the current interests of the presidential ticket of the party.
"Today, APC is at a crossroads, we want to transit from one president to another.
“Those of you that are founding members of the party, you are one of them, along with some other leaders.
“Those of you that labored, that faced that monster of PDP, I want you to assemble yourselves again and critically assess the situation we have found ourselves in today.
"My appeal is, let us manage this period critically.
“I am going to convey your visit to the leadership of our party, but I can assure you, this is your party, this is my party and APC is our party and collectively, we will continue to defend the sanctity of APC,” Ojelabi said.
You are Qualified but Tinubu has our Support -Babajide Sanwo-Olu
At the governor’s office in Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu welcomed the Minister of Transportation, whom he said was qualified for the presidency.
He however told him that he stands with Lagos State’s former governor, Bola Tinubu, who is also running for president.
“As a person, I have shear regard and respect for our leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, I have been a direct beneficiary of his leadership, I have been part of his cabinet, and I continue to toe that line of leadership Asiwaju stands for, the governor said.
“But because we are not God, God himself will help the cause of this country.
“I want to say to you that you are eminently qualified and there is no doubt about that. You are very experienced in this journey, but for a whole lot of us in Lagos State, Asiwaju continues to be our rallying point.
“I certainly know what your pedigree is and what you have done. It will be unfair if I don't say that.
“I wish you all the very best,” Sanwo-Olu said.
