Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon, Aminu Tambuwal has

suspended his campaign to contest the Presidential elections in 2015,

citing concerns from “party elders” of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

Tambuwal had recently picked the Presidential nominations form to run on the ticket of the APC thus giving the impression he had jettisoned his earlier ambition to run for the governorship of his state. But he shocked all when he picked the presidential form allegedly on the prompting of his party leader,

Senator Bola Tinubu.

The Speaker’s Presidential ambition was said not to have gone down well within the camps of General Mohammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who became suspicious of some moves by some APC leaders.

Announcing his withdrawal from the Presidential race in a press statement, the Speaker said the decision, a sacrifice, was in the interest of the party, so it can build cohesion and unity.

The statement reads: “A few days ago, precisely on Friday the 14th of November,2014 a group of

friends , associates, colleagues and admirers cutting across all ages,

ethnic, social, religious, political and geographical divides presented to

me the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for me to participate

in the presidential primaries of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ) for

the 2015 Presidential Election.

2. On that auspicious occasion, being profoundly humbled, I requested for

a little more time to conclude my last round of the series of nationwide

consultations

which indeed I was just about to conclude.

3. Let me state that the 14th November event was neither an accidental nor

sudden happenstance, rather it was another high point of similar goodwill

surprises I had experienced in the last two years when I started receiving

in audience, colleagues, individuals,groups and delegations of prominent

Nigerians on this subject matter

4. I wish to seize this occasion to commend, most highly, these patriotic

and selfless colleagues, admirers, individuals and groups for their

sacrifice, diligence and single-mindedness in the pursuit of what they

honestly believe is in the best interest of our fatherland. I am fully

aware of the physical, financial and intellectual resources all of you

have expended in this regard besides the sheer volume of valuable time and

the travel risk of crisscrossing to compare notes and confirm projections.

Indeed I can not thank you enough.

5. When upon genuine conviction I decided to commence extensive

consultations towards taking a decision as to whether or not to

participate in the contest for the office of President of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria, it was not to actualize a personal ambition,but

rather to actualize our dream for a new Nigeria.

6. Ever since news of the possibility of my participation in the

presidential contest got into the public domain it has generated

monumental interest, analyses and commentary. I have also, both personally

and through prominent leaders across party lines and beyond, consulted

extensively and I must say that I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of

support and interest. On my part and with the greatest sense of modesty

and responsibility I wish to assure Nigerians that I am fully prepared,

ready, willing,determined, available and armed with the requisite plans,

programs and ability, to undertake the great mission of rescuing our dear

country from the clutches of institutionalized corruption,gross

incompetence, greed and divisiveness. I am prepared for the great task of

rescuing Nigeria from the security problems, the scandalous youth

unemployment, and the economic and social malaise that plague her.

7. Given the opportunity, ours would be a clean, corrupt- free, competent

and purposeful government : to deal with the inexplicable paradoxes that

have held us hostage for over a hundred years : the paradox of ever

growing abject poverty in the midst of plenty; the paradox of ever growing

menace of corruption in the face of the collective capacity of Nigerians

to eradicate same, the paradox of decaying infrastructure especially

epileptic power supply in the face of abundant natural resources; the

paradox of glaring internal insecurity in the face of a gallant

military,police and other security agencies that have excelled in peace

keeping and enforcement abroad. Indeed a government that would deploy

extraordinary ways and means where such becomes inevitable within the

ambit of the law.

8. The problems I speak about are real and glaring. Over the past three

and a half years of presiding over 359 equals, I often had occasion to

discuss peculiar constituency problems with my colleagues but most

importantly I have visited over 300 hundred Federal constituencies across

the country and seen for myself abject poverty of our people particularly

the majority of the population that reside in the rural areas, I have

experienced, first hand, total absence of essential social facilities and

decaying infrastructure, where they exist at all, and observed

hopelessness in the eyes of millions of citizens. I deeply feel the pulse

of dejection of our people.

9. I am convinced that with the progressive spirit and teamwork these

objectives are attainable under an All Progressive Congress ( APC )

administration.

1. I have carefully considered the the concerns expressed by some of

our leaders, whom I deeply respect and whose support and counsel I

enjoy,to the effect that my entry into the presidential race at this

point may necessitate having to rework some equations on the political

chessboard of the party.

1. Having consulted widely, taking into consideration the concerns of

some elders of the party, I have decided to suspend my participation in

the presidential contest for now. I have done so as a sacrifice for the

the cohesion and unity of the APC. I am suspending my participation in

the presidential race for now because I do not have any inordinate

ambition to occupy any office. Nigeria is a country too great to

sacrifice on the altar of partisan politics and personal ambition. What

any one becomes in life is exclusively in the hands of God. Only God

gives power to whoever he pleases.

2. I came into the APC to enhance and build, Therefore in the interest

of our great party the APC and indeed in the overriding national interest

I wish to appeal to all my associates, colleagues, supporters, admirers

and friends nationwide to show some understanding. It has not been easy

coming to this decision and I very well understand the frustration,

disappointment and disbelief of many who have committed so much to the

project including sacrificing not only their physical, financial and

intellectual resources but indeed their personal ambitions in the 2015

electoral contest.

3. I pledge my loyalty to our party the APC and cooperation with my

uncles and senior brothers and colleagues who are already in the race for

the APC Presidential ticket : I refer to; General Muhamadu Buhari, Alh

Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Rochas Okorocha

and Mr Sam Ndah- Isaiah. There is no doubt that they are all eminently

qualified.

4. To all my associates, colleagues, friends,admirers across Nigeria who

have faith that I am that instrument for the change we all desire, I

assure you that your faith is not in vain, it is noble and will endure

until this great nation of ours is rescued from the clutches of

institutionalized corruption, gross incompetence, greed and divisiveness.

I charge you to be comforted that your strength lies not in the limited

capacity of a single leader, but rather in the collective capacity of the

millions of great citizens of this nation. One day, and I believe not too

long away, this formidable collective capacity will be ignited and the

good Lord will lift Nigeria high up where she belongs.

5. God bless you all and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL

SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.