Media mogul, Kachikwu, joins presidential race

Chairman, Roots Television Nigeria, Dumebi Kachikwu, has officially declared intention to contest the office of President in next year’s polls.

The younger brother to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu stated yesterday that he would be vying for the nation’s topmost job on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC).

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

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

He promised among other things, to support technology-driven education and healthcare systems to end medical and education tourism; 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, the media mogul 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 charged journalists to report happenings in the country meticulously rather than being economical with the truth.

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 characterises our current existence.

“We must define our common charter as Nigerians and constitute a new nation that is not only inclusive for all, but also guarantees equal rights and expressions to all irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion.”

He went on: “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.”

The aspirant further promised to make merit a national policy, make government accessible to all citizens, prioritise generation and distribution of electric power and stop the habit of public servants going for foreign medical treatment.

He also challenged Nigerian youths, who feel qualified to contest for any political office, to declare interest, promising to bankroll their nomination forms, as well as give other necessary support.

This, he stated, is geared towards ensuring that the youths take over government from older generations of Nigerians, who “lack physical and mental abilities to provide desired solutions to Nigeria’s problems.”