2023: Former Senate President promises immediate action if elected
Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan
Former Senate Present, Bukola Saraki has assured Nigerians that, if given the opportunity to lead the country come 2023, his administration would hit the ground running from the first day.
Saraki noted that the issues of insecurity, mass unemployment, disunity and poverty would be addressed within a short period of time because he already had a policy plan and programmes, which he described as his contract with Nigerians, before assuming office.
He gave the assurance, on Tuesday, while addressing the Oyo State delegates of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the State Party Secretariat, Molete, Ibadan.
Noting that he was better prepared and had the capacity, energy and network the people are looking for among those vying for the job, the former Kwara State governor said he was delighted to see the passion with which people are responding to his call for support to clinch the party ticket.
He said: “The response has been great. I’m seeing a desire of our delegates to look for someone with capacity, I’m seeing the desire of our delegates to not talk about where you come from because the poverty and insecurity now knows no tribe, no religion and its without limitation. What it knows is who has the capacity to rescue Nigeria, the person who has the energy to fix Nigeria.
“I see great passion by a lot of the youths looking for somebody they can connect with and the response I’m getting across the country is very encouraging. There is an energy we are building up. People are looking for somebody who is well prepared, who has shown he has the capacity and who is prepared for the job, not somebody who just want the job for the sake of the job. That is encouraging,” he asserted.
Saraki affirmed that he would not take chances but would carry on the work and fight till the last day, as he was convinced that people want somebody who can do the work, saying he could see the wish and the passion of the delegates in looking for the best candidate, somebody who is well connected and also has the capacity to fix the country.
He said: “I have the capacity and that message is coming across that indeed, I have the capacity and people are saying that I have the capacity and that from the messages, that I’m prepared. We have our policy spelt, we are the first aspirant that told Nigerians this is my contract with them, so, it is not somebody that will waste another six months before he decides on what to do.”
“From day one we are going to hit the ground running, we are going to address insecurity, we are going to provide jobs for the youths and we are going to lead this country, unite this country and that energy, the responsibility is so great. I thank the people of Oyo state for the love they have shown today and I promise you we will do this together,” Saraki noted.
The former Senate President had earlier paid a courtesy call on Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan to seek the governor’s support and commended Makinde for transforming the state within a short while with his private sector experience, saying similar experience, capacity and energy are what is required to change the situation in the country.
Responding, Governor Makinde described Saraki as a presidential material anywhere in the world because of his deep understanding of issues and governance
Makinde said: “I can say it anywhere that anywhere in the world, you are a presidential material, you have a clear understanding of issues of governance. I’m glad that in PDP, the least of our aspirants is better than the best that APC has to offer. In the next few days, we will have to take a very serious decision for our party and also for this country. I don’t have any doubt that we will get it right this time around.”
The governor called on the party members to come together so as to be able to narrow the field and go to the presidential convention as one strong, united family.
Nnenna.O