Kingsley Kuku, former presidential adviser on Niger Delta affairs to Goodluck Jonathan, will be contesting in the Ondo state gubernatorial election.

The former chairman of the presidential amnesty programme announced his candidature via a statement, saying he would run for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the state.

Kuku listed Ebenezer Alabi, a former state chairman of the party, as head of the Kuku Support Group.

“I have been overwhelmed by messages from persons at home and in diaspora genuinely concerned about my medical trip in the United States of America and trending events in our polity especially Our Sunshine State,” he said.

“By the schedule of my treatment, I am now at the concluding and very critical physical therapy stage, after which I shall return home in due course of time.

“With the messages coming from well-meaning individuals, professional bodies, youths and women’s groups, associations of market women and artisans, it has become necessary for me to appreciate and recognise these persons and organise them under this platform to make it easy for me to interact and interface with them from time to time.”

Kuku said “Alabi’s experience as former Chairman of Akure North Local Government and state Chairman of PDP will in no small measure be an advantage in this task.

“Alabi is trustworthy, reliable and completely de-tribalised individual who is totally committed to the PDP in Ondo State and Nigeria at large.

“Hence, I have no doubt he will deliver on this assignment. Once again, l wish to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have demonstrated this uncommon love for me.”

Kuku had been earlier declared wanted by the EFCC for allegedly embezzling and fraudulently diverting funds running into hundreds of millions of naira, after which his lawyer said he was in the US for a knee surgery.