President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawal, says his 2023 presidential ambition was conceived to enable him to change the lives of Nigerians.

“I am running for the presidency of the country to help me change the lives of the people for good,” according to the senate president.

Mr Lawal said this on Friday when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River in Calabar as part of his political tour to meet with delegates of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He said that the welfare and security of Nigerians was top most priority on his agenda if given the presidential ticket of the ruling APC.

Mr Lawal said as president, he would re-define the economy of the country from the over dependence on oil and place a premium on agriculture.

He said that Nigeria needs a personality that has the capacity, knowledge and experience needed to govern the country.

He observed that although the governor of Cross River was also running for the presidential race, it was important for them to work as brothers.

“As politicians, we are brothers and sisters; that the governor of Cross River is also running for the office of the president does not make us enemies.

“I wish to ask the governor of Cross River to give me the delegates from his state during the primaries,” he said.

Responding, Mr Ayade said “I am also going to work for you if you get the party’s ticket. You have always stood by us as a state.”

(NAN)