The Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, has pulled out of the 2023 general elections.

Dantalle, who is the national chairman of APM, said he took the decision in order give women a pride of place in the political scheme of things.

In a statement yesterday, he said after an extensive consultation with leaders of APM, he decided to support Princess Chichi Ojei, a Delta State born politician, as his replacement.

He said the changes would not affect the chances of the party in winning the next year’s presidential plebiscite.

He said: “Our great party is also gender friendly and fielded a number of women and youths for the polls whose expected victory will breathe fresh air and dynamism into governance.

“For long, women and youth have been marginalized in running the affairs of the country despite their ever growing population that will determine the outcome of all elections in the country. It is time to give them a chance to run the affairs of the nation.

“Our great party has confidence in Nigerian youth and will continue to nominate them to occupy high positions in government including presidency.

“In pursuit of this, and after extensive consultations with my family, the leaders and members of our great party (APM) and stakeholders, l, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, has decided to withdraw from the 2023 presidential race.

“The party leadership has unanimously chosen Her Excellency, Princess Chichi Ojei, a prominent Delta State born politician, patriot and leader to replace me for the office of president.

“My withdrawal from the presidential race is in the overall interest of our great party. By this development, APM is further strengthened to win the presidential election.

“It is the only political party that is fielding a female presidential candidate. The situation in the nation today requires the competence, wisdom, versatility, tenacity of purpose and political sagacity of a woman.

“APM presidential candidate is equal to the task and has the support of millions of our party members and supporters. Nigeria is at a crossroads today and needs a female president to chart the way forward.

“There is no doubt that Nigerian women and youth will support her candidature and join other compatriots to elect the first female presidential candidate in Nigeria. This is the only way the nation will be rescued from insecurity, economic stagnation, political upheavals and despondency.

“The party will set up a formidable presidential campaign team to strategize and mobilize Nigerians to participate in the ongoing voters registration, obtain their voter cards and elect APM into office. This time every vote will be counted and counts in the overall result.

“The task ahead is enormous and requires the political savvy and leadership acumen of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle along with other National Officers of APM to navigate the critical 2023 general election processes and led the party and its candidates to victory.

“It is in view of this that I have to withdraw from the Presidential race. I urge Nigerians to choose wisely this time and vote for Allied People’s Movement candidates in all elections.

“Together, we will build a strong, united, progressive, prosperous and equitable democratic nation,” he said. (Daily Sun)

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