Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday said in spite of its current challenges across the country, Nigeria is still worth fighting for.

Mr Fayemi, a presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the assertions on Wednesday during his consultation visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, in Ibadan.

The governor said though the youths in the country may want to give up on Nigeria due to a lot of justifiable reasons, but, “I believe Nigeria is still worth fighting for”.

Mr Fayemi, also the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said that his desire for the nation’s top most job was for the advancement of the country.

He said Nigeria needs people of capacity, competence and courage.

“We need leaders with courage with which to do what is right, which may not be popular,” Mr Fayemi said.

He said there were a lot of people that have the capacity and competence across the country, but lack courage.

The NGF chairman said that his intention to contest for the presidential seat, come 2023 was not an ambition, “but a call to duty to build a better Nigeria.”

“What I believe we want is peace, progress and development of the country. That is what our fathers clamoured for.

“Having supported many in the past to get to the apogee, I consider it is time to look in our direction.

“I have been consulting and it was the consultation process that brought me before Your Imperial Majesty as the father of politicians,” Mr Fayemi said.

He said his position as the Chairman of NGF has enabled him to know the country better.

The Ekiti Governor said he has the capacity to address the problem of national cohesion, insecurity and other challenges facing the nation.

He sought for prayers from Olubadan, saying that Mr Balogun’s position in Ibadan, Yorubaland and Nigeria in general, could not be overemphasised.

Responding, the Ibadan monarch commended Mr Fayemi for his passion for the unity and progress of the country.

The traditional ruler lauded the aspirant for the kind of person he is, saying, “his ideological orientation, disdain for self-interest and pursuit of national interest.”

He, however, prayed for Mr Fayemi and wished him good luck in his quest to get the APC presidential ticket. 

(NAN)