Like Ezekwesili, Sowore supports coalition talks to defeat APC, PDP

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has assured of his readiness for coalition talks with other parties to ensure the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were defeated in the February 16, presidential election.

He stated this while commending Oby Ezekwesili for her withdrawal from the race and pledge to work for a coalition that will see to the sacking of both the PDP and the APC from laying hold of the presidency seat of the country.

Ezekwesili, presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), withdrew from the race on Thursday morning but vowed to work towards a coalition candidate to ensure the defeat of APC and the main opposition PDP.

Her decision was immediately commended by presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Fela Durotoye, who promised he was ready for coalition talks to produce a consensus candidate against the two major political parties.

Also towing the same path, Sowore said in a statement late on Thursday, that “Dr Ezekwesili’s departure from the presidential race and her renewal of her commitment to a progressive platform that will reclaim Nigeria from 20 years of corruption and inept leadership under the APC and PDP, has renewed calls from a broad section of Nigerians for coalition talks.

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“I have always believed that it will take a true partnership of progressives and committed patriots to move this nation forward. It is not just politically pragmatic to do so, it is the way that I have always worked. Every political battle that I have waged on the behalf of the Nigerian people has been done through coalitions and partnerships. For instance, it took a coalition that involved the students movement, pro democracy organizations, progressive politicians, human rights groups and labour unions to fight against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections. A similar coalition was necessary to force the military of our power and restore democracy in 1999. That is why the TakeItBack Movement and the African Action Congress have remained supportive of various efforts towards building a unified platform. We have never ceased talking, engaging and working with other organizations, parties and individuals, towards building a unifying platform.

“I also want to thank my brother Fela Durotoye for his public reaffirmation of his commitment to that process. It is important that Nigerians know that for the last 4 months my team and I have been in discussions at various times, under various auspices, with the Durotoye, Moghalu, Ezekwesili and Duke teams. I reaffirm my commitment to that effort.

“We will continue to push forward with our goal of reclaiming Nigeria, conscious of the fact that this is a vision that is shared by tens of millions of our fellow countrymen and women.”

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