FORMER deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and founder of the Institute of Governance and Economic Transformation, Professor Kingley Moghalu, has declared his intention to contest for the presidency in 2019.
This was announced during a press conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on Wednesday, 2018.
Stating his vision, one laid out extensively in his recently launched book, ‘Build, Innovate and Grow: My Vision for Our Country’, MoghaIu explained that he is taking a stand to unify Nigeria beyond ethnicity to break the stranglehold that the current political class has on leadership, to put the country on the right path and move it forward.
“We must stop recycling failed politicians and regenerate our leadership ranks with competent and experienced young men or women. Youths who have prepared themselves with the relevant qualifications must take over the mantle of leadership because this struggle is about the future of Nigeria, not its past. Strong, knowledgeable guidance is needed, and I offer myself for service with a solid track record of leadership,” he said.
Emphasising the importance to modernise Nigeria, the candidate also stated that competence, capacity, and character are required to reorient Nigeria into a strong and capable country – qualities that citizens should demand their president should possess.
“If it is about competence, my work as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria who played a leadership role in rescuing and stabilising the Nigerian banking system after the global financial crisis speaks for itself. In capacity, working in the United Nations to reconstruct countries torn by civil war or internal reform of the world body is there for everyone to see. About character, my colleagues, mentors, friends, and of course, my family are there to answer anyone,” he stated.
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Professor Moghalu also explained that although he has been approached by a number of political parties, he would still focus on the people of Nigeria rather than parties that have been vehicles for capturing power.
He stated that his decision to join any political party will be based on commonality of vision and the importance of a generational shift in political leadership, as he promised that his decision will soon be announced.
“It is important we begin to focus more closely on the individuals seeking elective office in our country and their qualifications in terms of character, competence, capacity, and track record,” Moghalu said.
Professor Moghalu, who segmented his policy agenda into leadership and governance, national building, and economy, charged Nigerians not to allow political elites to intimidate them with the idea that no one can displace them.
The formal CBN boss, while promising 50/50 gender parity in government, described youth as microeconomic challenge and promised to create jobs to ensure microeconomic stability in the country.
On the fight against corruption, he said: “Poverty breads corruption. We must therefore fight against corruption by drastically fighting poverty in Nigeria. My government will do this, because I have a vision of a country where there would be a new tribe, not Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, but the Nigerian tribe.
“Fighting corruption requires that we must block every systemic loophole, in awarding contracts and in budgeting. Corruption must also be fought through accountability. There would be accountability in my government. And this would begin with the officials of my government, unlike the present fight against corruption, which is simply against the opposition.”
Moghalu then enjoined eligible Nigerian voters to get their permanent voters cards to vote for credible, capable and visionary individuals in the 2019 elections.
A global leader who has made contributions to the stability, progress and wealth of nations and communities across academia, economic policy, entrepreneurship, diplomacy and more, Kingsley Moghalu has taught and inspired citizens from more than 40 countries in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, mentoring men and women for leadership roles in business, military intelligence, non-profits, and government service.
