TRANSCRIPT OF ACCEPTANCE SPEECH DELIVERED BY IBRAHIM ABDULKARIM, DG NDC NATIONAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL AT THE NEC MEETING IN FCT ABUJA A Call for Unity, Sacrifice, and a New Nigeria Formal Address to Party Leaders, the Presidential Candidate, and Elder Statesmen Distinguished leaders, our respected chairman, our presidential candidate, esteemed elder statesmen, and the young people of Nigeria, I extend my sincere greetings to you all. First and foremost, I wish to express our profound gratitude to our leader and to the young people of Nigeria who continue to believe in the vision of a better country. We sincerely thank you for providing us with a political platform through which we can pursue the transformation Nigeria urgently needs. In 2023, we made efforts to bring about the change we desired, but we were unable to achieve our objective. Today, we are grateful for another opportunity to continue that struggle. We are confident that, with your support, guidance, and commitment, we can work together to achieve our shared objective of building a New Nigeria. We believe that, united in purpose, we can overcome the challenges before us and secure victory in the forthcoming election. Acknowledgement of Our Party Chairman To our respected chairman, we thank you for your leadership and for the responsibility you have accepted in this journey. We trust in your ability to bring party members together, engage all relevant stakeholders, and encourage cooperation with our candidates. Your leadership and support will be essential as we work collectively toward electoral success and the transformation of our country. We believe that a united party, guided by a common purpose, will be better positioned to deliver the New Nigeria that Nigerians deserve. A Message to Our Presidential Candidate I would now like to address our presidential candidate. We recognise that you are a man with considerable experience, having built your own success and served as a governor. We also recognise the discipline and leadership qualities that have contributed to your public service. However, what makes this moment particularly significant is that we, the young Nigerians, have freely chosen to support you. We have identified you as the leader through whom we believe our vision for a New Nigeria can be realised. Our decision reflects our hope for a country that works for its people, provides opportunities for its youth, and creates a better future for generations to come. We believe that, through your leadership and with the collective efforts of Nigerians, we can redirect the course of our nation and move it toward a future defined by progress, accountability, prosperity, and national unity. Our ambition is not merely to change the leadership of the country; it is to change the direction in which the country is moving. Gratitude to Our Leader for His Sacrifice To our leader, Jagora, we express our deepest appreciation for your willingness to set aside your personal ambition in support of the candidate we have chosen for this important national mission. Such a sacrifice deserves recognition and respect. Leadership is not always about pursuing personal aspirations; sometimes, it requires placing the collective interest above individual ambition. We are aware that you have faced criticism and attacks from various quarters. Nevertheless, we believe that your decision is motivated by your desire to contribute to the emergence of a New Nigeria. For your commitment, your sacrifice, and your continued support, we say thank you. May God bless you and grant you the strength to continue serving the interests of our people. A Message to Our Elder Statesmen To the two distinguished elder statesmen whom we have asked to remain with us, we sincerely value your presence and, above all, your wisdom. We recognise the depth of your experience and understand the concerns you carry in your hearts about the present state of our nation.