Senate President Bukola Saraki Thursday formally declared his intention to run for the office of president of Nigeria on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after months of denying he has no intention of running.
Saraki, the first minority to rule a majority Senate in Nigeria’s and world’s political history, however hinted recently that he was considering to run.
The former governor of Kwara State said during a dialogue with some Nigerian youths and young aspirants in Abuja that he has all it takes to preside over the affairs of Nigeria, especially with current challenges bedevilling the country.
“Up and down our country today, Nigerians are crying out for succour. Many of our children are hungry. Many people are dying of avoidable or otherwise treatable diseases. Many have fallen below basic living standards, and are now among the 87 million that sealed Nigeria’s position as the country with the highest number of people in extreme poverty.
“Our young people lack opportunities. The necessary education facilities and system to equip them for the future simply do not exist. We are not creating the jobs needed to usefully engage them in order to grow our economy. And too often, the youth feel shut out, prevented from having any say in the direction of this nation.
“The harsh conditions of extreme poverty faced by the people, fuel the state of insecurity all over the country. Hunger, lack of education and lack of opportunities push many Nigerians into criminal activities including terrorism.
“Many of our communities are paralysed with fear – due to incessant communal crises, kidnappings and other social ills, as well as the threat of terrorism. We are failing abysmally to tackle the problems of today and to prepare for the future.
“It is with all these in mind, and taking account of the challenges that I have outlined, that I have decided to answer the call of teeming youth who have asked me to run for president,” Saraki said.
With his official entry into the contest for the PDP presidential ticket, Saraki has joined the likes of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who have formally joined the race.
Present at the Saraki declaration were Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, among many other senators.
Our correspondent reports that weeks before yesterday’s declaration, Saraki had embarked on nationwide consultations where he visited the likes of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Goodluck Jonathan, and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, among others.
