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The Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) held its first New Nigeria Policy Conference and Presidential Primary at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja today, the 29th of September 2018. The event witnessed a great turn up from all the delegates who came from the various parts of the country to partake in the very first Presidential primaries of the budding party including Mr. Fela Durotoye, the last standing presidential aspirant, after Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim announced his withdrawal from the primaries just a few hours to the event. The epoch making event began with the accreditation of all the delegates from all the different states represented at the event followed by speeches from principal officers of the party after which Mr. Fela Durotoye presented his pitch as was requested to the delegates of the party on his plans for the actualisation of a New Nigeria. Mr. Fela Durotoye’s pitch was very well received as was evident in the resounding applauses and joyous shouts during and after his speech. Other invited guests were also given the opportunity to share their thoughts on the New Nigeria to expect. Delegates then proceeded to cast their votes, and for their respective aspirants under a free and fair process with INEC officers who were present to monitor and observe the entire process. After concluding the voting process, the votes were sorted and counted in the presence of the INEC observers, the party delegates, the press and the general public including viewers who connected to the event online. The results were announced with Mr. Fela Durotoye clinching the victory with a total of 240 votes against 7 votes for Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim. It was a landslide victory. Amidst shouts of joy and celebration, Mr. Fela Durotoye was announced as the Presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria come the General Elections scheduled for February 2019. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Fela Durotoye reminded everyone of how young people like himself were faced with the impossible task of gaining independence 58years ago. In his words, “In a few days, we celebrate 58 years of our nations independence. A task once considered impossible, was birthed by the courage and sacrifice of young men & women in their 20s, 30s & 40s, like Anthony Enahoro, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Hajiya Gambo Sawaba, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and many others. These everyday Nigerians laid their lives down to birth a New Nigeria; a land of peace, unity and opportunity.” He went on to say in his words that “The New Nigeria will not be built by politicians of old or by the system that has suppressed our greatness. It will be built by everyday, ordinary Nigerians, people like you and me.” He called all Nigerians who were tired of the old Nigeria and the failed way of doing things to join him in the pursuit for the New Nigeria and acknowledged that he couldn’t do it alone but with the collaboration of everyone who truly desires a New Nigeria. He ended by asserting that he is not arrogant to claim to have all the answers. In his words, “I am not arrogant to claim that i have all the answers, but I am humble enough to say that I am willing to learn and will listen to all your questions. And with such a great team beside me, the hopes and dreams of Nigerians before me and by the Grace of God above me, we will deliver a New Nigeria, starting on May 29th, 2019.” Fela Durotoye knelt down in gratitude to God for his success at the presidential primaries. Fela Durotoye will be contesting the Presidential elections come 2019 polls under ANN against other emerging presidential candidates from APC and PDP.
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This article was first published on 30th September 2018

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