Presidential aspirant and
publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore has rejected the emergence of
Fela Durotoye as the consensus candidate of the Presidential Aspirants Coming Together,
PACT.
Durotoye,
who won a two-tier voting system to emerge the “alternative” presidential
candidate of the group ahead of the 2019 general elections yesterday, beat a
former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu, Omoyele
Sowore, and five other aspirants.
However, Sowore, who should by
virtue of the result withdraw his candidacy and support Durotoye as agreed, on
Friday, in a press release by Dr Malcolm Fabiyi, the Director General, his 2019
campaign organisation, denied participating in the straw poll.
He described as “undemocratic”
any system that will allow less than a dozen persons to determine who should
run for the highest office in the land of about 200 million citizens.
The statement reads: “On
Thursday, the Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT) selected a
Consensus Candidate from amongst the aspirants who participated in the straw
poll. The TakeItBack Movement and our convener, Omoyele Sowore, were not part
of this action.
“Our position at the TakeItBack
Movement has always been that a United Front of progressive forces is essential
for wresting power from the status quo politicians. We believe that our voices
are stronger together. As we’ve stated previously, the successful cooperative
struggle which several youth presidential aspirants participated in, to extend
the voter registration exercise, clearly demonstrates the power of a United
Front.
“However, we have also been very
clear in our position, that the choice of who becomes the leader of almost 200
million Nigerians should not be determined by only about a dozen people, in a
nation of 180 million persons. As democrats and progressives, we believe that
leaders should emerge, only through a transparent process that allows the
millions of Nigerians that are yearning for national development and
transformative leadership, to have their say in electing their own
representatives, in free and fair party primaries and eventually at the
national polls in February 2019.
“Our unwavering commitment is to
a fair and transparent democratic process that includes party primaries and
coalition building. As all the political parties stage their legislative,
gubernatorial and presidential primaries between now and October 7th, 2018, we
enjoin all Nigerians who desire national transformation to participate actively
in the political process by joining political parties or competing for elective
positions.
“For those seeking a political
platform that stands solidly with the Nigerian people and is not aligned with
either of the twin evils – the APC and PDP – that have ravaged Nigeria for
decades, we invite you to join us in the African Action Congress.
“The democratic process is about
more than just the presidency; it is our aim to fill elected offices across
Nigeria, from councillorship to the Presidency, with young men and women who
are tired of the status quo and are truly primed to reclaim Nigeria.
“We have heavily subsidised our
nomination form fees to give brilliant and progressive minds across the country
a chance to make their mark on Nigeria. Our complete fee exemptions for the
disabled, youth corpers, honourably-discharged defence personnel and serving or
retired teachers, nurses and emergency service workers, prove that we are
committed to building a greater Nigeria.
“The TakeItBack Movement and the
African Action Congress party are committed to creating a Nigeria that works
for all, not a select few. We thank all the millions of Nigerians that have
supported our campaign for transformation thus far.
“The road ahead of us remains a
long and arduous one. With your continuing support, we will remain steadfast in
demanding a fair and equitable nation, that works for all Nigerians.”
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