The 2023 Presidential politicking just got more interesting with new and old political actors throwing their acts into the ring.
It is gratifying to note that academics are joining the fray, with the nation needing intellectuals to paddle the affairs of the country. One of them is a political scientist and the pioneer Director, Buratai Center for Contemporary Security Affairs, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Femi Meyungbe Olufunmilade who just announced his intention to vie for the highest office in the land.
Njenje Media News reports that the Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies who made his intention known in a video available to Njenje Media Media called on members of the academic community who are members of his primary constituency and the general public to rally around and support his Presidential bid.
In his formal declaration, Prof. Olufunmilade said: “I want to be President of Nigeria and I need your support. I am directing my appeal primarily to members of the academic community because they say charity must begin at home. Whether you are in the University or Polytechnic or College of Education, College of Agriculture, School of Nursing, we are in the same community. I want you to rise up to support me because I believe if I can get your support, I would be President.”
The Educationist believe with the support of the academics that have their tentacles spread all over the country, his vision to govern the country would be actualized.
“Because you have your tentacles all over the country, there is no state where you don’t have academic communities, comprising staffs and students in various categories, whether technologists, administrators, teachers and what have you’, he noted.
On the notion that a non-game player like he is would not be President, he said: “Let nobody deceive you that a neophyte, as they call me cannot be President of Nigeria. Obama was not known by over 90 percent of Americans, up to about two years before he became the President but when those who saw promise in him teamed up with him, he became a national phenomenon. I want to assure you that together we can do it, let nobody discourage you, the change is in your hands and the change we need it now”.
Professor Olufunmilade joins the likes of Yahaya Bello, Bukola Saraki, Moses Ayom, Anyim Pius Ayim, and others who have signified their intention to jostle for the number one seat in the country.
