About two months after his return to partisan politics, Ovation magazine editor Dele Momodu joined the growing list of hopefuls fighting to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
He made his statement at the national headquarters of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, after presenting his letter of intent to the party’s National Presidents, Iyorchia Ayu, who in turn urged him to seek the support of members of the match.
The veteran journalist, who was a member of the Labor Party (LP) and a presidential candidate in 2011 for the National Consciousness Party (NCP), joined the PDP in October 2021.
He said he joined the main opposition party to play an active role in saving the nation from the ugly clutches of the Congress of all progressives (APC).
He also apologized for his role in bringing Buhari to power in 2015.
Mr. Momodu was among the Nigerian elite who campaigned vigorously, both online and offline, against the 16-year rule of the PDP and the re-election bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
However, in his Thursday interview with journalists at the PPD secretariat, Momodu recorded his commitment to the party, as well as his determination to stick to its ambition to the end.
He said he is better prepared for the highest political seat in the country and is determined not to give up his ambition, not even for any of his fellow aspirants “who thinks he can buy all of Nigeria with his money.”
“I am humbled by the emotion already generated that reminds me of what it was like 29 years ago when your good friend and my own adoptive father, Chief Moshood Abiola, threw his hat into the ring.
“It is very obvious that Nigerians are eager to restore that promise of hope and the accompanying peace and joy that we lost,” he said, adding that Nigeria is in need of an urgent restart and a total redirection.
Apart from Mr. Momodu, the former president of the Nigerian Senate, Pius Anyim, has also officially declared his interest in the presidential race. He made his intention known days ago when his supporters in the southeast stepped up the campaign.
Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, about two weeks ago, also endorsed Anyim’s presidential candidacy.
There are also strong indications that a former vice president and party presidential candidate in 2019, Atiku Abubakar, the governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, the immediate former president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and a former governor of Kano state, Rabiu Kwankwaso, could join. the PPD presidential ballot race.
The party has yet to divide the presidency into one of the country’s geopolitical zones, but there is a possibility that the candidacy will be open to all applicants interested in participating.