Kachikwu joins presidential race

Media proprietor and chairman, Roots Television Nigeria, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has officially declared intention to contest for the office of President in the 2023 elections.

Kachikwu, a younger brother to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said he would be contesting on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Kachikwu in a speech titled, “My Opening Argument” pledged to initiate public service reforms, eliminate corruption and win war against terrorism if voted into office.

Giving 20 reasons for wanting to preside over the affairs of Nigerians come 2023, 48-year-old Kachikwu noted that neither his age nor his political party will discourage him from expressing his desire to rescue Nigeria from imminent collapse.

He pledged among other things, to support technology-driven education and healthcare system to stop medical and education tourism abroad; eliminate corruption by ensuring that Nigerian workers are well remunerated, redirect the vast energies of youths to productive ventures and collaborate with state governments to invest in power generation, build broadband internet infrastructure and limit states and private sector to distribution activities only.

Decrying the state of the nation, he urged Nigerians to remain resolute and not be discouraged by the attitude of political leaders. According to him, government does not lack ideas on how to run the affairs of the nation but the political will to do what is required to tackle the nation’s socio-economic woes.

Acknowledging the role of the media in deepening democracy, he urged journalists to report happenings in the country meticulously rather than being economical with the truth. “The media should not be tired of reporting the happenings in the country”, he said.

In what he termed a new deal for Nigerians, Kachikwu stated: “Together we can design a new menu for our people. We will rebuild Nigeria from the ground up and do away with the faulty and archaic colonial foundation that now characterizes our current existence.

“We must define our common charter as Nigerians and constitute a new nation that is not only inclusive for all but guarantees equal rights and expressions to all irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion.
This new Nigeria must come first before any other identification. It will be our common bond as we do away with all colonial relics of division, mistrust and hatred.

“No longer will we engage based on Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba or North and South but on the basis of Nigeria, our only fatherland.

“We will resist all those who make religion and tribe their mantra. It will no longer be business as usual. We will zone out all proponents of zoning and usher in a Nigeria that promotes merit, character and knowhow above primordial sentiments.”

He further promised to make ‘Merit’ a national policy, make government accessible to all citizens, prioritize generation and distribution of electric power and stop the habit of public servants going for foreign medical treatment.

“If you desire to be in the public service, you must use the same services the masses use. No private or foreign schools for our families, no private or foreign hospitals for us or our families, no generators or boreholes in our homes.”

The aspirant also challenged Nigerian youths who feel qualified to contest for any political office to declare interest and he will pay for nomination forms as well as provide other supports. This he stated, is geared towards ensuring that Nigerian youths take over government from older generations of Nigerians who lack physical and mental abilities to provide desired solutions to Nigerian problems.