It is no longer News that Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has declared her intention to run for president in 2019.
She made this known in a series of tweets on Sunday, adding that she’s running under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).
She wrote:
My friends who have fully assumed their role as #OfficeOfTheCitizen, what started as my being aggrieved with the despair and despondency across the country, and the failure of governance by the #APCPDP has now become an urgent national movement.
I have spent the past few weeks engaged across the country and internationally and I have fully persuaded myself, by myself, that the one thing I hate more than politics is politicians who believe they are untouchable by citizens because of power and money.
This is why, today, in response to the candidates of the #APCPDP, I have officially declared my candidacy to run as a citizen, alongside you and other citizens, for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2019. Our message is HOPE. Our hashtag is #Hope2019.
To show that we mean business, especially as we have already started building a multi-million-person national grassroots organisation across the 36 states of Nigeria, I am announcing not as an aspirant, but as a candidate running under the flag of the ACPN (@ACPNHOPE).
Our party primaries held today, and I have humbly accepted the nomination.
Here are some mixed reactions as gathered online:
@Owoditi “If its not Oby Ezekwesili then its Donald duke, these are viable option come 2019.. Enough of all the Old Legs.”
@Agorasblog “She is a joke. Oby Ezekwesili can’t win. All her activism boils down to: be seen criticising and rubbish possible opponents and present thyself as the intelligent saviour messiah president. She should not be taken seriously. She is a stooge of corrupt, hopeless and useless cabal.”
@TheJonathanian “Nevertheless, truth be told, my sister Oby Ezekwesili will make a fantastic President. I mean, you can neither fault her credentials nor discount her achievements.”
@Kayodeajiga “The time is not ripe yet for a female president in Nigeria and this I’m sure you’re very aware of.Probably the goodies with public office you once enjoyed is the attraction.
Though a female president would done us more good than harm because 95% of them do things with emotions.”
@Seyi_ “Why is Oby Ezekwesili doing this tho? I want to know her reasons. Because she doesn’t have a decent shot at this.”
@Tosinadeda “Don’t say you don’t have candidates in 2019, be responsible and vote. Oby Ezekwesili just joined the race.”
@Iamwilsons “So the whole Red Card to PDP & APC movement was because of this?
@Makispoke “In a perfect world, people like Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu and similar characters would be chosen without much question to lead Nigeria into a brighter future. Unfortunately our world isn’t perfect, so this fight, in practical terms, is down to Atiku vs Buhari.”
@MeritNigeria “beautiful! We need people like this to come in. With the entrance of Ezekwesili and Moghalu, the Nigerian political space is getting better.”
@Shogeshola “Knew madam was up to some sinister motives, when she was doing her (bring our girls back campaign.). She is a good presidential material, but she should had waited till 2023 when it is the turn of Southerner to be the President. Out of most Igbos politicians, she tower above.”
@Hamdriller “At least, Nigerians can’t say Ezekwesili didn’t try.Her declaration is her little contribution or attempt at sacrifice, to steer Nigeria in the right direction.”