Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obi Ezekwesili, on Sunday emerged the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) ahead the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s deadline for the submission of names of candidates contesting the 2019 general election.

Ezekweseli, who was the sole candidate, was unveiled at the National Convention of the party which also returned incumbent National Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Galadima, and other national officers for another four years.

In her acceptance speech, Ezekweseli who is a former Vice President of the World Bank, said the country has continued to develop backwards, adding that instead of making progress under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, “unsustainable failure” has become the lot of Nigeria.

She said 2019 will be a defining moment which provides opportunity to unite and galvanise the potentials of the country to build a great nation.

The former Minister, who is also the co-founder of the Bring Back our Girls movement, christened her campaign mantra as “Project Rescue Nigeria”, noting that it is a great tragedy that Nigeria instead of making progress is rather derailing and moving towards total economic collapse.

She promised to offer equal opportunities to all Nigerians irrespective of tribe or gender, saying: “Enough is now enough, we have decided that Nigeria will no longer accept a leadership of mediocre which has kept it down and allowed wanton and senseless waste of innocent lives.”

Meanwhile, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) on Sunday elected former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, as its presidential candidate for the 2019 election. Mimiko was elected as a consensus candidate by members of the party in Abuja at its national convention.

The presidential hopeful said that he would leverage on the party’s social democratic ideological orientation to convince Nigerians to work with him.

He said that with the party’s pedigree and those of its leading lights, he would not have trouble convincing Nigerians why the party is the preferred option for them in the 2019 elections.

His words: “As a social democratic party committed to the enduring principles of good governance, utilitarianism and a restructured federal system for Nigeria, ZLP is set to capture the imagination of Nigerians.

“The party will lead the process of renewing the Republic.

“I am resolutely committed to a programme of restructuring the Nigerian federation.

“This is with a view to affording every segment of the country the opportunity and privilege of development at its own pace.

“This will be done in such a manner that the age long beauty in competitive development will be fully tapped.”

Mimiko said that he was persuaded beyond any doubt, that such restructuring would give vent to the spirit of Nigerians.

Also yesterday, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) nominated retired Gen. John Ogbor as its presidential candidate for the 2019 elections.

Ogbor, who was elected during the party’s primary election held in Abuja, announced Mr Jerry Chukwueke as his running mate.

He said he was contesting for president in order to restructure the country so that it could become a developed nation.

“I want to be your president so as to fix Nigeria; my government will be unequivocally committed to a unified and prosperous nation where no one and no place will be left behind.

“Right now, Nigeria is confronted with many challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, poverty and illiteracy,” he said.

•Based on reports by NAN and The Nation.

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