Colorado man to seek Nigeria presidency

GREELEY, Colo., July 25 (UPI) -- A Colorado man says he's going to run for president of his native Nigeria.

Sam Wantings (Nwanti), a 46-year-old detective and businessman from Greeley, says he wants to wipe out the corruption that has plagued Nigeria, where he lived a good portion of his life and still visits, The Denver Post reported Sunday.

"Nigeria needs to change," Wantings told the Post. "And I'm the only one who can effect that."

"Criminals and corrupt politicians run my country now, and I feel I need to run now to make any kind of difference. It needs to happen soon or it will be too late."

Wantings, who holds dual U.S. and Nigerian citizenship, said he will return to Nigeria in August to start his campaign for the 2011 presidential election.

University of Colorado political science Professor James Scarritt said Wantings faces an uphill effort given Nigeria's internal problems and the fact Wantings is only now returning to the African nation.

"All things being equal, if you are living outside the country for a long time, the chances of solving its problems are less," Scarritt said. "You are still an outsider, even a foreigner."