Okorocha plays up poor background in public declaration to join 2023 presidential race

A former governor of Imo State, and now lawmaker, Senator Rochas Okorocha has publicly declared his intention to join the race to be Nigeria’s president after the 2023 general elections.

The lawmaker in Abuja on Monday publicly declared that he was gunning for the nation’s top political position, and that he was the most suitable candidate for the job because he comes from a poor background, and hence understands the plight of the people more.

Okorocha, who currently represents Imo West Senatorial district in the upper chamber, said his presidency would birth a new Nigeria, where education would be free and business would progress.

With the slogan “Help has come!”, Okorocha appealed to the population of poor Nigerians saying “I am from a poor background.”

Okorocha said he was not pleased with the situation of the country, and promised that he would restore unity in the country and tackle poverty.

READ ALSO: Okorocha charges leaders to take responsibility for Nigeria’s situation

He said, “We are here to help the poor and the needy and the down trodden. There’s no part of this country or zone you will not see my signature.

“I challenge all those contesting with me to show this country what they have done in uniting this country.

“The mood of the nation suggests this nation requires a compassionate leader. I have six children but I have over twenty five thousand children. I have adopted them, I don’t know them. I’ve trained more that six thousand Fulani, Six thousand Yoruba and Ten thousand Igbos. What unites me and them is poverty cos I am from a poor background.

“This nation is in dire need of someone who can create wealth, someone who has a vision, amount of money far too small for the problem, don’t curse your leaders, the problem is for every one million naira, Nigeria needs ten thousand naira. What Nigeria needs is a businessman who can create wealth. I will create wealth.”

By Oluwatobi Odeyinka

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now