Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Party, Kingsley Moghalu, said he has found peace and happiness since quitting partisan politics.
He did not state when he took the decision to quit partisan politics. He resigned his membership of the ADC after losing the presidential primary to Dumebi Kachikwu in June.
Moghalu in a series of tweets on Wednesday afternoon on his verified handle @moghalukingsley, said he has no apologies to make for withdrawing from politics as individuals can make meaningful contributions to nation building from non-partisan platforms.
“I am happy and have found peace in withdrawing from partisan politics. No apologies. As a citizen I will always have my preferences and will vote for specific candidates, but there are times and circumstances when one can better contribute to nation building from a nonpartisan perspective.”
Moghalu described partisan engagement as “necessarily divisive”, saying he had been there, paid his dues but no more. He argued that he has a ‘”second address” in a manner of saying politics is not the be it all and end it all. He said politics is simply inconsistent with being in certain professional fields.
“Partisanship is necessarily divisive. I have been in that space before. No longer. I have paid my dues. Besides, I have always had a second (professional) address outside politics. Some professional activities are simply INCONSISTENT with, and won’t be credible, if mixed with partisan politics. Running a policy think tank such as @IGETAfrica (which can bring out policy ideas that can benefit political leaders and candidates) is one of such activities. Certain types of business and entrepreneurship as well.
“I understand the passions and goodwill of those who argue on this street that I should formally “declare/campaign for this candidate or the other. They argue so because they believe my views are listened to and may be “influential”. But I urge such people to also understand, and respect my own personal decisions. They have not, like I have been, presidential candidates (without having a war chest of stolen public funds) or stood in the arena, bloodied but unbowed. No regrets, but only I know what I have sacrificed, the personal price I have paid.
“Many people cannot do it, especially for someone in my position who really did not need to, when there were so many other more comfortable things one could have done with one’s time. But the impact my humble, sacrificial effort made in 2019 and earlier on in this current cycle, is part of what paved the way, and is driving, today’s story. That’s a major contribution. I am satisfied, for the quest for Nigeria’s redemption is a journey, not an event.”
Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, resigned from the ADC after he failed to clinch the presidential ticket.
In a letter posted on his official Twitter account, back in June, Moghalu cited fundamental clash of values with ADC leaders as a reason for leaving the party.
Moghalu, was the presidential candidate of Young Progressives Party in the 2019 elections.
