Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has formally declared his intention to contest for the office of Nigeria’s President ahead of the 2023 general election.

Akpabio made the declaration at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday.

The minister, who will contest for the number one seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he decided to contest for presidency to “secure lives and properties, to make unity the touchstone of our nationhood, and to invigorate our economy, prosper our citizenry and promote democracy.”

Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, said he transformed the “pedestrian” state with visible projects which include free and compulsory education for all students up to Senior Secondary School, free medical treatment for pregnant women and for babies up to the age of five, and world-class facilities like the International Airport, Tropicana Entertainment Centre, E-Library, Ibom Specialty Hospital, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, amongst others.

The minister stated that his achievement as the governor of Akwa Ibom was the reason behind his decision to join the presidential race, adding that he pursued national unity with great zeal as a governor.

He added that as a Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, his ministry completed projects abandoned for decades and thought to be beyond salvage.

The minister further hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for the key projects executed, saying the “uncommon” feat was achieved through the President’s support.

The former governor equally extolled Buhari for the “patriotic work” he has done as President, adding that the President “has given hope and direction to governance, and fought corruption with uncompromising zeal”.

Akapabio said: “I have come with these key items on my agenda: to secure lives and properties, to make unity the touchstone of our nationhood, and to invigorate our economy, prosper our citizenry and promote democracy.

“In 2007, I was elected the governor of a pedestrian state, languishing on the margins of our national life. A couple of years later, a European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, visited the state and described what he saw, in amazement, as “transformation extraordinaire.”

“In eight years of uncommon transformation, we gave the state one of the best road networks in the country (the roads built by us fourteen years ago are still pot-hole free).

“We gave the state free and compulsory education for all children up to Senior Secondary school.

“We gave the state free medical treatment for pregnant women and for babies up to the age of five, we delivered to the state world-class facilities like the International Airport, Tropicana Entertainment Centre, E-Library, Ibom Specialty Hospital (rated as one of the best in Africa), Africa’s first-ever underground pipe-jacking drainage system, Ibom Power Plant, Akwa Ibom State University, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and many other projects too numerous to mention.

“We did so much that then serving Presidents and past country leaders wondered where we got money from to do all that we did. The trick was in our vision, strategic planning, commitment, and honest implementation. Together we can do more than this for Nigeria.

“This is why I am seeking to be your President. I have done it before as governor; my office pursued national unity with great zeal. I sent both Christians and Muslims on pilgrimages. The office reflected Federal Character because of my abiding faith in Nigeria and its diversity.

READ ALSO: 2023: Fayemi declares, unveils agenda for Nigeria

“Not only did we win uncountable awards and honours, and commendations from institutions like the United States Congress, the Nigeria Defence Academy, foreign countries, prestigious institutions of higher learning, prominent religious and ethnic organizations; even Wikileaks, referenced me as a leader to watch due to my infrastructural revolution and efforts in industrial development.

“I am offering my humble self for service to our dear nation because I believe that together we can make Nigeria the cynosure of global interest and an African economic lion. There is nothing the Asian tigers have, in terms of human and material resources, that we do not have.”

He added: “As a Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, we have completed projects abandoned for decades and thought to be beyond salvage. We have had key projects commissioned by Mr President. This uncommon feat was achieved through the support of Mr President.

“We have effectively repositioned NDDC to meet its core mandate. As a first-time Senator, after my work as Governor, my distinguished colleagues found me worthy and elected me as their Minority Leader. This was in recognition of the great equity and value I brought to the Senate. I pay respect to that Hallowed Chamber for that honour. I praise God for His grace.

“So I declare today conscious that this declaration has raised the bar of hope for all Nigerians, poor or rich. Christian or Muslim. I was raised by a poor, loving mother, who lost her beloved husband six months after my birth. She taught me that life is not about where you came from, but where you are going.

“Together we will overcome every challenge. Together we will defeat every Goliath. Together we will turn our mourning into dancing again. Let God’s will be done in 2023,” the minister stated.

The Star