The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, has disclosed that he refused calls to vie for the 2023 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
El-Rufai made the disclosure on Sunday in Kaduna during a visit by presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, who came to solicit for support of APC delegates in the state ahead of the party’s presidential primaries.
He said that pressure was mounted on him to procure the 2023 presidential expression of interest and nomination forms of APC but he fended it off.
He explained that he believed that power should shift to the south for justice and fairness and that he had long made public his position in that regard.
Meanwhile, the 69 delegates of the APC in Kaduna have reaffirmed their support for power shift to the South.
The delegates repeatedly said ‘yes’ as they were asked three times by Governor Nasir El-Rufai whether they supported power shift in the interest of justice and fairness.
Responding to comments from Sen. Ali Ndume, the Director-General of Amaechi’s campaign and Amaechi himself, El-Rufai acknowledged the friendship they shared and the contributions Amaechi made in ensuring the victory of the APC in 2015.
El-Rufai noted that Kaduna State delegates would listen to all presidential aspirants who wanted to engage them.
Earlier, the Minister of Transportation Amaechi and also presidential aspirant on APC platform, said if given the opportunity, he would end the insecurity and continue the infrastructure transformation of President Muhammadu Buhari across Nigeria.
He said he was 56 years old and the youngest among the aspirants and the most experienced that had governed a state.
Amaechi said he would resign from office as minister on Monday.
He said in pursuant of economic prosperity, he would continue and expand the agricultural programmes the present administration had started.
“What I will do is to ensure that we grow what we eat and grow what we export; we will grow our economy with value addition, ” he said.
“If you vote for me I will ensure that all this things are put in place , everybody will come and ask for your vote, but look for that candidate who is a Nigerian candidate and will protect all.”
The campaign Director, Sen. Ali Ndume charged the delegates to fear God in their choice of leaders, adding that Presidency should be shifted to the south.
He said Amaechi is a trustworthy person for all, that’s the reason he was confered with the traditional tittle of ‘Dan Amanan Daura’ in Katsina State.