2019: Sule Lamido declares for presidency under PDP

A one time Jigawa State Governor and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Sule Lamido has declared intention to run for the presidency in the 2019 Presidential election under the Platform of the Party.

This was contained in a letter he personally wrote to the members of the Party, a copy which was obtained in Abuja on Monday.

‎Lamido would be the second contestant to show interest in the office, the first being the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose, though the office was zoned to the North by the Party.

Lamido’s letter reads: “Today, 57 years after the independence of our dear country, can we in all sincerity claim to have achieved the dream of our founding fathers?

“Where did we fail and from where did we begin to fail? Nigeria with its natural endowment and human capacity cannot be forgiven for being otherwise.

“We cannot even demonstrate our ability and capacity to meet domestic, regional and global challenges which currently seems to overwhelm us.

“The PDP will and must lead the nation back into a bright, progressive, and innovative future.

“To the world, Nigeria must demonstrate our confidence, tenacity in our ability and capability to address our domestic regional and global challenges that confront us.

“It is against this background that I offer myself to vie for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2019 if my party finds me worthy to fly its flag.

“I am no means claiming to be the only capable material, any PDP member, given the trust and support can fly our flag, and I expect many more aspirants will express the desire to run.

“My hope and prayer is that at the end of all the process which I hope will be open, fair transparent and credible is to give Nigeria in 2019 candidate who will lead the party and Nigeria.

“This is because there is no alternative to PDP in 2019, it will be a defining moment in the Nigerian political evolution.”

Meanwhile, the National Executive Council (NEC), Meeting of the Party holds today in Abuja.

The meeting is expected to consider and approved the proposed amendment to its constitution and as well fixed a dated for its Elective National Convention for the election of its National Officers.

While the members Board of Trustee, BOT ‎of the Party were attending a crucial meeting ahead of today’s NEC meeting as the Press time behind closed doors, most of the NEC members have stormed Abuja for the meeting.

When Tribune Online visited the National Secretariat of the Party yesterday, the building popularly known as “WADATA PLAZA” was dotted with various banners and posters of aspirants for the Elective National Convention.