Founding managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank and businessman, Fola Adeola, has explained that he accepted to contest the forthcoming presidential election as running mate to Action Congress of Nigeria’s presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu, because the party holds much hope for the country.

In an interview with NEXT yesterday, Mr Adeola said he looked at the party and the man that gave him the offer and concluded that he is someone he could do business with. “I looked at his character and I said I can dine with this fellow and I can reinforce the party and make it worthwhile for the nation. I saw the burden in him and I said, this is someone I can support.”

He added, “It’s a much more serious ticket now. The ticket was not complete, now it’s complete and I intend to devote myself, my connections. People have been rallying round since they heard the news. I think it holds much hope for this country.”

After months of speculations and intrigue on the choice of a running mate by Mr. Ribadu, the renowned entrepreneur was picked as the preferred choice, following a meeting of the party’s helmsmen at the weekend.

Mr Adeola, who disclosed that he has also resigned his appointment as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council, said he is not bothered about being a running mate instead of standing as a presidential candidate himself. He said it is not an issue for him, adding that what is more important is the interest of the country. Mr Adeola is known to be one of the promoters of KOWA party, which is being positioned to be a grassroots movement.

“When the flag-bearer came to offer it to me, I had a thousand reasons not to do it. Am I afraid or is it that I don’t want to leave my comfort zone? And every time we have talked about this; you have done this, you have done that, and the place is worse today than it was yesterday. And I just said to myself, ‘OK, let’s give it a shot