Delta State-born innovation strategist, Mr Chukwuka Monye, has declared his interest to run for the Nigerian Presidential seat under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Briefing journalists in Asaba, on his aspiration for the top job, Friday, Monye also challenged the likes of Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and other aspirants who have indicated an interest in the Nigerian Presidency to a public debate on their visions for the country.
He gave kudos to President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the amended electoral act into law, saying it was a victory for all Nigerians and the beginning of a new era.
He pointed out that he has chosen the ADC as a platform to pursue his aspiration because the party was the third force Nigerians are yearning for, adding that the party is a party where ideas rules.
According to Monye, who was the Director-General of the Delta Economic Summit Group, a non-partisan political group, he is in the race to liberate Nigeria from the economic quagmire it has found itself following years of bad leadership.
He said, “ADC is a party where ideas rule. There are a lot of people that have come to me to say, we heard that thousands of persons are following you, you must have spent a lot of money on them, say N500million, I told them what they are supposed to ask was, what strategy have you used that is making this people to be attracted you?
“You cannot solve problems by just throwing money at them. If throwing money would have solved our problems we would have solved these problems long ago. We need competent leaders, people with ideas, people with intent, people with capacity, to take Nigeria to the next level.
Asked if he has the capacity to match the likes of Tinubu, Atiku and other heavyweights, he said, “I look forward to the general elections where we have different people with different capacities but the most important thing is to be available for Nigerians to choose when the opportunity comes and I am ready to challenge them in a debate for Nigerians to see. So it is a responsibility for Nigeria and Nigerians.”
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the electoral amendment bill, he said, “this is good news for Nigerians and I want to congratulate Nigerians because the president assenting to the bill is actually the beginning of the journey to a better Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the National Chairman of ADC, Mr Ralph Oke Nwosu, described Chukwuka Monye as a man with the vision and capacity to effect the needed changes the country is yearning for.
He said, “we have people that are big, we have the money bags and many like that, who want to fly our party’s flag but we said no. As we are building a new era in politics, we need people who are intelligent, people who are energetic, people who are young, people who can do what elders cannot do, people who can showcase their talents.
“So today one of our illustrious sons from Delta has said he wants to fly the party’s Presidential flag. A party that is credible, a party that is an alternative to what is happening in Nigeria today.”
The highlight of the event was the formal presentation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) registration card to Chukwuka Monye by the party’s National Chairman.