Ezekwesili: Why I sacrificed my presidential ambition, replies ACPN, critics

THE former presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Oby Ezekwesili has given further details on why she withdrew her presidential ambition.

Reacting via her Twitter handle @obyezeks to the viral allegations made against her by the party in the aftermath of her withdrawal from the presidential race, Ezekwesili hinted that, “The values and vision divergence with the Party was a key factor that triggered my withdrawal from the Presidential race on their ticket prompting me to dissociate immediately in order to help build a coalition for Good Governance.”

She said, “The Party leadership’s transactional approach to Politics began to manifest in their attitude following after the Convention that adopted me as their Presidential Candidate. All who know me can attest that I detest transactional mindset.”

“I would have none of such and therefore extremely delighted to part ways after a tumultuous three months of hoping that the ACPN leadership would elevate to the new values of disruptive politics that one had desired for and preached within the Party.”

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Ezekwesili who withdrew from the race on Thursday, 23 days to the February 16 presidential election, insisted that “Nigeria and Nigerians deserve a New Order of ethical, competent and capable leadership which I had mistakenly assumed the ACPN was aligned with me to offer until it proved otherwise.”

However, she resisted her commitment in a struggle for a better Nigeria, emphasising that, “My abiding vision has been to mobilise citizens to disrupt the old order politics of #APCPDP.”

While still a member of ACPN, Ezekwesili said, “The Party leadership’s transactional approach to Politics began to manifest in their attitude following after the Convention that adopted me as their Presidential Candidate. All who know me can attest that I detest transactional mindset.”

According to her: “It is why I was instant in sacrificing my candidacy to uphold my values by withdrawing.”

However, she emphasised her utmost interest in helping to build a formidable coalition for good governance which she said was the primary reason for her sacrifice.

She also intimated her supporters of the party’s endorsement of APC which was announced by her erstwhile VP candidate, Galadima who doubles as the chairman of ACPN as their classic political entrepreneurship in full display for Nigerians to see.

Furthermore, she chided the ACPN leadership over the malicious statement of the party, saying it was defamatory and that it bore no iota of truth, adding that what the party said about her campaign donations were a fabrication and outright lies.

“Only those who desperately wish to believe falsehoods would lend any credence to such puerile accusations by the leadership of ACPN.”

She then promised a ‘World Press Conference’ as soon as she returns to the country for clarification as she has declined several interviews.

“We shall at the ‘World Press Conference’ also provide insights into the citizens’ movement that we are energized and committed to building. There is no end to our zeal to end the reign of bad politics in our country,” she tweeted.