Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former aide to the late Sani Abacha, has expressed determination to become Nigeria’s president in 2023.
Al-Mustapha, who is the presidential candidate of the Action Alliance, in the 2023 general election, said he’s “ready to die for the welfare of Nigeria and Nigerians”.
He spoke on Friday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The presidential hopeful noted that some unnamed people wanted him dead because of his loyalty for Nigeria.
He said, “I decided this time around to answer to the calls of many Nigerians, elders and younger ones from North to the South and numerous organisations to contest. It came barely towards the end of the submission of forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“We sat and looked at other parties. we picked the one that shared a common interest with our manifesto and realised that Action Alliance has what was required. We joined Action Alliance and we have been doing our underground work since the convention came and went. We are working hard.
“We have not come forward deliberately but we are working underground. This is more scientific than the razzmatazz before the official time to kick off the campaign.
“My passion is to become Nigeria’s president. My background speaks for itself. I have worked in numerous places before becoming a soldier. I have done what you cannot appreciate at a glance, especially the services rendered for Nigeria. Our records in the military speak for themselves.
“The passion we have for Nigeria is in the sense of the challenges we saw yesterday and the deep appreciation of where Nigeria is today. It is that element of care driven by patriotism that brought us to the fore to join politics.
“Whoever you see directly or indirectly coming into politics at this point and talking about money is wrong. For the last seven years that I came out of prison, I have been undergoing research. Our findings are extremely disturbing.”
While defending his boss, Al-Mustapha narrated how he was tortured and almost killed in prison.
According to him, the torture and punishment he got won’t stop his passion to lead Nigeria.
He said, “Abacha policies may be tough then but they are for the common good of Nigerians. He became an enemy to some people at home and outside. It is by the will of God that I am talking to you as a human being.
“They came to testify in court against us and spread false propaganda. We were tried in the court and the media. No sane society will accept the kind of torture I got. They always run away from discussing what they did to us. They are afraid.
“But I am not the kind of person that holds malice. I forgave them when I came out of prison, something extremely difficult to do.
“I was hanged in such a crucial manner. It was horrific; besides beating and punishing my parents… I was only allowed to see my parents twice. I survived numerous orders to kill me. It is by the will of God.
“The large heart that accepted to go through forgiveness has forgiven. My greatest concern now is rendering service, and synergising all forces to make a difference. Yesterday is gone, my personal destiny was designed that I will go through that punishment.
“If there are people who hated me, it is simply because some of us believe in loyalty and patriotism to this country. Our loyalty to Nigerians is an uncompromised issue.
“I suffered a lot; but for the sake of the welfare of Nigeria and the well-being of Nigerians, I am ready to die.”
