The leading female candidate for Nigeria’s presidential election in February, Obiageli Ezekwesili has announced her decision to quit the race.
In a statement the former World Bank Vice President for Africa said her decision was taken “after extensive consultations with leaders from various walks of life across the country over the past few days.”
Ezekwesili however said that she will be focusing “on helping to build a Coalition for a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the 2019 general elections.”
The former Nigerian minister announced her bid for President hoping to upset the leading candidates, incumbent Muhammadu Buhari and opposition candidate, Abubakar Atiku.
But the dominance of the ruling APC and the opposition PDP makes it difficult for other independent candidates to succeed with their bids.
“Over the past three months, I have been in private extended talks with other candidates to make a coalition possible that would allow Nigerians to exercise choice without feeling helplessly saddled with the #APCPDP,“Ezekwesili said.
“It is time to build this coalition” – Obiageli Ezekwesili leads by example, steps down from presidential race – Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili – Presidential Candidate, Federal Republic of Nigeria – Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) https://t.co/qusIqJSuiU
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) January 24, 2019
Ezekwesili is also the co-founder of a group that raised awareness about the kidnapping of over 200 girls by Boko Haram in 2014.
She served in Nigeria’s government between 2000 and 2007, as minerals minister and later education minister.
How Nigerians reacted to her decision
On social media there were mixed reactions from Nigerians with some commending her.
But some thought she should not have entered the race in the first place and rather focused on building a strong coalition.
You’re the best of them. I wish they were stepping down for you!
Thanks for giving another example of why you are the most worthy of them all!
— Ben Ashero Egberi (@BenAsheroEgberi) January 24, 2019
God bless you ma’am
We need more people like you and indeed you are an epitome of a good leader.
I salute your sagacity ma.— AKINTUNDE TAOFEEK (@TAOTECH_GSM_S) January 24, 2019
Evil triumph when good people refuse to do something. Thank God she’s playing her part. The least you could do is to commend her efforts in the struggle for better Nigeria.
— Ayodele Olufunsho-Godson (@GodsonAyodele) January 24, 2019
Start grassroots work, form a consensus party, create a structure in 774 lga, gun for LGA’s, HoA’s NASS, some gubernatorial…start now.. They will get some by 2023…even in for yrs the presidency is not sure… Good thing is they have age on their side.
— ADEBIYI ademola (@lanredemola) January 24, 2019
Oby Ezekwesili “barked” down and “barked” out of the presidential race some days to the election to form a coalition with people that are only active on social media, meanwhile politics is local.
She thinks say na child’s play.
Much ado about nothing!!!#oby#ezekwesili— ridbay❁ (@ridbay) January 24, 2019
She is talking about coalition when this could have been what she should have done form the onset and that would have been a very strong opposition to PDP and APC.But what where we thinking before ,Do we think a woman will rule Nigeria not in this century
— Devil’s Incarnate (@suchitemmy) January 24, 2019
Source: Africafeeds.com
