Femi Olufunmilade, a Professor of Political Science, on Tuesday, declared his intention to run for the presidency on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Olufunmilade, who is the Dean of Colleges of Arts and Social Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, made the declaration at a book review entitled: “For the good of our people: a Nigerian manifesto”, which he authored, in Abuja.
He said he had what it took to lead a complex country such as Nigeria, stressing that he had the vision and passion to lead Nigeria to the Promised Land.
“I am interested in the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am capable to be in that office, I have passion for governance based on my background,’’ he said.
The presidential aspirant sought for the decentralisation of the security system of the country to tackle the myriad of insecurities, adding that Nigeria must return to true federalism.
He said that he would tackle the challenges of corruption in the country and make corruption unprofitable, recover looted funds, close channels of leakages and run a transparent government.
Olufunmilade said that under his government, food security strategy would be put in place, which would make the country self-sufficient in food production and enhance employment in agro allied industries.
He said that he would give every part of Nigeria a sense of belonging in terms of representation and distribution of government projects and other dividends of democracy of elected.
“I will give no opportunity to anyone to accuse me of sectionalism, tribalism or nepotism,” he said.
The don described President Muhammadu Buhari as the biblical Moses who led the Israelites out of Egypt, stressing that the task of getting to the Promised Land would be handled by him.
He called on the youth to take interest in political happenings in the country, stressing that Nigeria must get it right in 2019.
Prof. Osisioma Nwolise of the University of Ibadan, who reviewed the book, said that some of the leaders who ruled the country had no vision to move the country forward.
He described the author as a man of vision, saying he was the only one who had written a book on how to lead the nation.
“This is the first time something is coming out in a book as a vision for this country as the author has undergone tutelage on politics as far back as the time of Bola Ige,’’ he said.
Dignitaries at the book launch include the Deputy National Chairman of SDP, Mr Wole Adesina, and Sir Folu Olamiti, former spokesperson of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
