Former Minister, Turaki, Joins Presidential Race

•  Appoints Boni Haruna as campaign DG

From Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has declared his intention to run for president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Turaki, who was minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan, said at an interactive session with ‎journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that his ambition was born out his concern with the situation of things in the country.

The former minister also used the opportunity to unveil his campaign team. He named former governor of Adamawa State, Mr.‎ Boni Haruna, as Director General, and former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oruh, as Deputy Director General, South.

About seven PDP chieftains, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have so far expressed interest to contest for the PDP presidential ticket.

Turaki said he had consulted most leaders of the country, including former President Jonathan, before making his declaration, and got their blessings.

On the chances of other PDP presidential aspirants, Turaki said everyone of them was eminently qualified for the position, adding, “PDP can bring up 100 people that can do 1000 times better than what APC is doing‎.”
He said he did not see the number of PDP presidential aspirants as a challenge to the party or to his aspiration.
According to Turaki, integrity and good track record are among his assets, adding that he is not afraid of persecution, since he has no corruption baggage.

The former minister said he was not scared of arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He disclosed that immediately he left office in 2015, he was investigated by the anti-corruption agency but nothing was found on him.”We feel that we have what it takes to unify Nigerians. We need a winning team that can provide level playing ground and opportunities irrespective of where you come from,” he declared.

“I went to sit down with everyone of them. We have spoken and we’ve understood each other. We have a serious national problem that Nigeria has come to see PDP as saviour of this country.

“If therefore Nigerians have said that PDP is the only vehicle that will rescue them from this situation, then we the gladiators must be able to subject our interest to the larger interest of Nigerians. Anybody who gets this ticket, we have the understanding all of us will join hands and support him,” he said.

According to him, the outcome of the series of consultations have also given him confidence to proceed to seek the PDP ticket.