A new Nigeria still possible in 2023, says Saraki

 

 

 

Obiora Ifoh, Abuja

 

Former President of the Senate Abubakar Bukola Saraki said Nigerians have lost the country of the dream of nation’s founding fathers but he is optimistic that a new Nigeria is still possible.

 

Also he stated that he will be the bridge between the young and the old.

 

Saraki who spoke at a breakfast meeting with the media, noted that the stake has never been higher for the country than as it is at the moment.

 

The former senate president who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the 2023 general elections presents Nigerians with a great moment of decision.

 

He regretted that the Nigeria where there was peaceful co-existence among every tribe and religion, has been bastardised in the last few years.

 

“For all that we have experienced in the last couple of years, the 2023 presidential election looms large as another watershed moment in our political history.

 

“We must all acknowledge that some things have happened in this country in the last couple of years that no one could have imagined possible only less than a decade ago,” he said.

 

Saraki who stated that he was not given a chance when he aspired to govern Kwara State because he was “too young and too much of a political neophyte to make an impact,” said what Nigeria lacks at the moment is leadership.

 

According to him, what the country needs is a leader with ability to rally everyone and everything around.

 

The former senate president noted that he was driven by conviction to serve in all the positions that he occupied, pointing out that he had left behind a legacy of courage, of hard work and of unyielding commitment to making a difference.

 

“Perhaps more importantly, I have gone into each of these positions with clearly thought-out plans, decided well in advance.

 

“Working with some of the best brains around, I took my time to study situations, decide on what to do, and agree on the best implementation strategies. I never muddled through.

 

“On every occasion, I have had to break through the walls of doubts and cynicism from those who thought that it could not be done; those who thought that the odds were too stacked against us and we wouldn’t stand a chance. But each time, we were able to prove them wrong because we had the courage of conviction and we had God on our side,” he boasted.

 

Saraki stated that he was in the race because he believes that a new Nigeria is still possible, assuring that he would assume office with a well-thought-out plan of his own; and will implement his plans with courage and conviction.

 

He promised to be president for all “because I represent a Nigerian identity that is truly diverse, truly inclusive and truly Nigerian.

 

The former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki during the ceremony of his official declaration for president in Abuja on Thursday stated that he will be the bridge between the young and the old.

 

Saraki at a Breakfast and Media Session titled, “Why I Am Running for President”, organised by his Support Group in Abuja went on to say he will also be the bridge between the private sector and the public sector.

 

“2023 presents the moment to choose hope over hopelessness; the moment to choose peace and security over fear and terror; the moment to choose unity and inclusion over division and exclusion; the moment that we draw a bold line in the sands of history and say, ‘no more’ and then move ahead as one people, as one nation, towards our God-assigned destiny as the greatest black nation on the face of the earth”. He said

 

The chairman, Saraki Campaign Council, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, showered encomium on Saraki, describing him  as “a real change maker”,  he went on to say that the former Senate president will restore stability in Nigeria if elected as President.

“he will give Nigerians, not the change from the top to the bottom, but the real change we wanted in 2015 to live in peace, pursue life, liberty, and happiness and be guaranteed security, prosperity and good health

 

” Saraki is loaded with political capital as a man who has integrity, courage, and the love of Nigeria, his integrity was a reason why coalitions of party men and women were supporting him.

“His campaign for the Presidency symbolises the age and social movement when Nigerians have been gravely disappointed with politicians who were elected because of where they were born, the language they spoke, and the way and what they worshiped”. Higher said

 

The chairman added that  “In Bukola you are witnessing a social movement in Nigeria when, (I paraphrase Dr. Luther King Jr.) ‘Nigerians are ready to elect their President, Judged by the content of his/her political achievements and vision and not by his tribal origin, what language he speaks, and his faiths.

 

“His declaration in all the 36 States of Nigeria was well received and the PDP Members and the Nigerian citizens are already in a frenzy to see him win the Primaries to become the flag-bearer of his party the PDP,”