By John Ikani
A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu has declared his intention to contest for president in 2023.
Declaring the political ambition via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday, Moghalu said he will contest in the 2023 presidential election because Nigerians matter to him.
2023: I WILL RUN BECAUSE WE THE PEOPLE MATTER
1. What is the value of a Nigerian life?
2. We live daily today under the shadow of terrorists. Our economy is collapsing. Many families cannot afford the price of food. Millions of young men and women have no jobs and have no hope
— Kingsley Moghalu OON (@MoghaluKingsley) May 31, 2021
He said if elected as president, his administration will be anchored on a four-point agenda tagged — SWAG.
“For the sake of the youth of our country — including my four children — whose future is being drowned in reckless foreign borrowing, and for the sake of all Nigerians suffering and seeking a clear alternative to the status quo,” he said.
“I intend — with all humility — to present myself — again — as a candidate for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections.
“If elected, I will run a government with a dream team of highly competent Nigerians from all parts of our country. Along with strengthened, independent institutions, we will deliver results on a 4-point agenda in four years (4 by 4):
“Security for all Nigerians and Nigeria’s territory; War against poverty: skills, jobs for our youth, and an innovation economy; Accelerated education and healthcare reform; Good governance: inclusive, transparent, effective, and accountable.
“This is my SWAG Agenda for a 21st century Nigeria. I seek the support of all compatriots — of everyone who is tired of our present national situation. We also need the energy and support of our youth, the middle class, entrepreneurs, and our compatriots in the diaspora.”
Moghalu’s political career in a glance
The former CBN deputy governor contested the presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in 2019 and lost to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
Moghalu finished 14th on the election log with just 26,039 to Buhari’s 15.1 million votes.
Two years after the election, Moghalu said he will recontest the presidential election.
More about Moghalu
Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu is a Nigerian political economist, lawyer, former United Nations official, and politician.
He served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, appointed by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, from 2009 to 2014.
Moghalu subsequently taught at Tufts University as Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy from 2015 to 2017.