The presidential candidate of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Yusuf Mamma Dantalle, has declared that he will be stepping down to back a younger candidate with capacity to address the rot created by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
In a statement, Dantalle said Nigerians must steer clear from repeating the 2015 mistake which brought into power the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) that has turned the country into a killing field.
According to him, “It is manifest that the 2023 general election will be a defining moment for Nigeria since the return of democratic rule in 1999. Nigerians have decided to take their destiny in their hands by actively participating in the electoral process to prevent the mistake made in the 2015 general election that brought the outgoing All Progressives Congress to power.
“The state of the nation is worse today than it was in 2015 and calls for a young, competent, credible, patriotic, visionary, dynamic, purposeful and progressive leadership.
“Since the preparation for the forthcoming general election commenced, there have been alignment and realignment of political forces to strengthen the chances of various political parties to win elections and implement their promises or social contracts to the people.
“As a major stakeholder in the democratic process, the Allied People’s Movement (APM) has been repositioned to win the 2023 presidential election. Our great party is also gender friendly and fielded a number of women and youths for the polls whose expected victory will breathe fresh air and dynamism into governance.”
On women participation, he said for a long time, women and youth have been marginalized in running the affairs of the country despite their ever growing population that will determine the outcome of all elections in the country.
He said it is time to give them a chance to run the affairs of the nation, adding that APM has confidence in the Nigerian youths and will continue to nominate them to occupy high positions in government, including presidency.
He said in pursuit of this, and after extensive consultations with the leaders and members of the party and stakeholders, he has decided to withdraw from the 2023 presidential race.
He said the party leadership has unanimously chosen Princess Chichi Ojei, a prominent Delta state born politician to replace him for the office of president.
“My withdrawal from the presidential race is in the overall interest of our great party. By this development, APM is further strengthened to win the presidential election. It is the only political party that is fielding a female presidential candidate.
“The situation in the nation today requires the competence, wisdom, versatility, tenacity of purpose and political sagacity of a woman. The APM presidential candidate is equal to the task and has the support of millions of our party members and supporters.
“Nigeria is at a crossroads today and needs a female president to chart the way forward. There is no doubt that Nigerian women and youth will support her candidature and join other compatriots to elect the first female presidential candidate in Nigeria. This is the only way the nation will be rescued from insecurity, economic stagnation, political upheavals and despondency”, he said.
Dantalle also said the party will set up a formidable presidential campaign team to strategize and mobilize Nigerians to participate in the ongoing voter registration, obtain their voter cards and elect APM into office, adding that this time, every vote will be counted and counted in the overall result.
“The task ahead is enormous and requires the political savvy and leadership acumen of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle along with other National Officers of APM to navigate the critical 2023 general election processes and lead the party and its candidates to victory.
“It is in view of this that I have to withdraw from the Presidential race. I urge Nigerians to choose wisely this time and vote for Allied People’s Movement candidates in all elections. Together, we will build a strong, united, progressive, prosperous and equitable democratic nation”, the APM chairman said.
