Harry Akande, the former Board of Trustees chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), has declared his intention to contest in next year's Presidential election on the platform of the party.

Mr. Akande made the declaration during a tour of some northern states, saying there is increasing pressure on him to run for the plum job. He said he will no longer ignore the pressure.

Last month, the billionaire businessman lost in a bid to become chairman of the party during its national convention on September 19. He lost to the current chairman, Ogbonnaya Onu by 1479 to 3945.

Race to win

His entry into the race brings to three the number of ANPP members wishing to vie for the presidency. The others are the governor of Kano State, Ibrhahim Shekarau and Bashir Othman Tofa.

"People requested me to run presidency, the overture is high and I don't think I will keep off from the will of the people. I will be running for presidency to win election, and not to posture or put my name on the list," Mr Akande told party faithful in Katsina.

"Gone are the days when people say that what is important is to participate at the Olympics and not winning the medals. That is simply a case of wanton waste of resources and energy, as well taken failure as a norm." Mr Akande noted that his entry into the race was premised on his commitment to women and youth development in the country.

He pledged to manage the resources of the nation prudently, adding that Nigeria could rank among the best countries in the world if it finds a man who can provide the right leadership.

The politician said he is still in love with the ANPP despite his failure to become chairman, stressing that "the party belongs to the people and those who have the interest of the people at heart must resist every attempts by some few individuals turning it to their personal political instrument." He added, "My advocacy and struggle in the party is to establish that ANPP belongs to the people and the real people must be given the right to choose their leader. Consensus is no more a contemporary language in politics, election is the hallmark of every good Democracy."