A former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday announced his intention to run for President on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2019 General Elections.
Mimiko said security, restructuring and youth empowerment would be topmost in his declaration speech titled: “Because We Care”.
Mimiko, before contesting as Governor of Ondo State in 2007, had served as a Minister under the Obasanjo administration, Secretary to Ondo State Government and a two-time Commissioner for Health in the state.
“There comes a moment in the life of a nation when every patriot must stand up to be counted. At such a moment, no person worthy of a place in history can afford to remain ensconced in their comfort zone. When the totality of our being and the very essence of our humanity are in violation, patriots must advance to recapture the present; and commit to re-defining the future. For our country, Nigeria, the moment is now,” Mimiko said at the gathering of party leaders and stakeholders at the LP National Secretariat, in Abuja.
He said it is time for all to march out and recall the past, take charge of the present, and launch out into greatness, as one inclusive, cohesive family.
He listed his achievement and landmark success in health, education and other sectors while he was Governor of Ondo State for eight years.
According to him, the Abiye Safe Motherhood programme of his government, which drastically reduced infant and mortality rate in Ondo state, became a global reference point in good governance; and a demonstrable path to universal health coverage, attracting laurels at home and abroad.
He said, “I am running because like many Nigerians, I am sick and tired of seeing our country become the butt of jokes everywhere you travel to around the world. I am running because I know we can do better; and we will do better.
“I know this because anywhere Nigerians find themselves, no matter the situation, we always rise above adversity. We don’t just survive, we thrive. It is high time we replicated over our country that which has made stars of individual Nigerians all over the world. The only way to do this is by electing capable hands. It is by electing a great president that can drive this national vehicle to greatness.”
In his reaction, the National Chairman, of Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdusalam, said Nigeria can restore its glory and reclaim its greatness if Mimiko is given the opportunity to lead the country.
“It is someone like Mimiko that is tested, trusted and has records of achievements that can bring Nigeria to the desired development and I have confidence in the ability and passion of the Presidential hopeful to set new narratives for the country,” Abdusalam said.
He said that until Nigeria was able to provide basic amenities for the people, and take care of its population, the country cannot be called the giant of Africa.
