Atiku Declares Presidential Ambition, Says He Wants To Fix Nigeria

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday declared his intention to run for President, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), come 2015.
Atiku, who made his intentions known during a press conference in Abuja, espoused his passion for education and youth development. He further highlighted several issues bedeviling the nation, noting that the current government “is not really doing the fixing”.
“I have what it takes to bring people together and turn things around for better”, he said.
Atiku, who was Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s two tenures (1999-2007), said his decision to run for Presidency was born out of the need for good governance.
“I want to play a leading role in the trans-generational efforts to save this country and improve the lives of our people.
He noted that “with the support of the millions of Nigerians desirous of change and the hard work by all of us, the APC shall form the next government of this great nation”.
Addressing party loyalists at the conference, the Adamawa-born politician said “I have therefore decided that I will, by the grace of God, along with other respected members of our party, seek nomination as a candidate of the APC to contest the presidential election of 2015.”
“I want to lead a government that will invest in its people because people constitute the wealth of any nation. I want to lead a government that will create a Nigeria for all.
“A Nigeria that is not about North or South, Christian or Muslim but about a better tomorrow, where every citizen will feel secure, with patriotism and having assurances of the fulfillment of his or her aspirations.
“I want to lead a government that will rebuild the institution of governance with zero tolerance for corruption and nepotism; where hard work and dedication are adequately rewarded.
“I want to assemble the best brains in the land and provide the political will and commitment, so that jointly, and with the cooperation of all of you, build a Nigeria of our dreams.”.

“Nigeria must rise to take its place in the world. It is a call to serve that I have come to answer. With the support and prayers of Nigerians we will build a great new Nigeria for Nigerians. “I have listened to the concerns of Nigerians, yet I still see hope in the face of the challenges. Our people have refused to succumb to despair. This never-say-die attitude of Nigerians is the reason I can never give up on Nigeria. “The youth, the future of Nigeria is represented here today. You the youth are endowed with enormous potential. In you are the hope of this nation. The 2015 election is about you.

This will be the fourth time in 22 years that Atiku is contesting a presidential primary since his first shot at the exalted office in 1992.
He contested under the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) against late Chief MKO Abiola and Alh. Babagana Kingibe. He also contested under the platform of the defunct Action Congress in 2007.
Following the 2007 elections, Atiku returned to the People’s Democratic Party. In October 2010 he announced his intention to contest for the Presidency. On 22 November, a Committee of Northern Elders selected him as the Northern Consensus Candidate, over former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, former National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau and Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State.
In January 2011, Atiku contested for the Presidential ticket of his party alongside President Jonathan and Sarah Jubril, and lost the primary, garnering 805 votes to President Jonathan’s 2736.