Saraki unveils presidential ambition, says Nigerian economy in need of revival

By Chizitelu Munachimso

President of Nigeria’s Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Thursday formally declared his intention to run for the Presidency of Nigeria.

Dr. Saraki who this month defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), chose a most unlikely place to unveil his ambition.

The Senate President who along with other politicians including Prince Uche Secondus, national chairman of the PDP had been invited by the Not Too Young to Run movement to offer advice and encouragement to young politicians seeking political office in 2019, dramatically chose the platform to announce his ambition to become President of Nigeria.

Making his decision known to the youngsters present, Dr. Saraki hinged his decision to throw his hat into the ring on the what he felt was the deplorable state of the nation.

He noted that across Nigeria the people are are crying out for succour, young people in Nigeria, lack opportunities. He said with many of Nigeria’s children hungry; many people are dying of avoidable or otherwise treatable diseases with several a good number falling 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’.

“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. Accordingly, I hereby announce my intention to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming General Elections in 2019 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). I do so with the firm conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and Nigerians,” Saraki said.
He added that the harsh conditions of extreme poverty faced by the people, fuels the state of insecurity all over the country with hunger, lack of education and lack of opportunities pushing 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.

“Our economy is broken and is in need of urgent revival in order for Nigeria to grow. GDP growth rate has declined. Diversification remains an illusion. Unemployment is at an all-time high. Businesses are shutting down. Jobs are being lost in record numbers, and the capital needed to jumpstart our economy is going elsewhere,” he stated.

He stated that Nigeria is perhaps more divided now than ever before with Nigerians riven along regional, religious and ethnic lines.

“Nigerians are also divided by class, a festering gulf between the ‘Haves’ and the ‘Have-Nots’. The fault lines of this nation are widening to an alarming degree. We must do something fast, and we must be brave about it,” the Senate President said.

Saraki’s decision to announce his presidential ambition at that event riled its organisers who issued a statement afterwards insisting the Not Too Young to Run movement is a non-partisan body committed to ensuring that young Nigerians have a fair chance of aspiring to public office in Nigeria.

The statement signed by Samson Itodo, its convener, said: “The movement wishes to express its disappointment with Senator Saraki for usurping a platform designed for young aspirants to dialogue with party leadership, to advance his political ambition.

“We strongly condemn this act by the President of the Senate and dissociate ourselves from this political move.

“As noted earlier, the movement reaffirms its identity as a non-partisan citizen-led movement dedicated to the defense of democracy, political inclusion and transformative leadership.

“The movement restates its commitment to sustain its engagement with political parties to ensure youth candidacy and democratic primaries by the parties.”

The group said in a bid to promote youth candidacy and democratic primaries, it had commenced series of public town hall meetings with the leadership of political parties and young aspirants.
It said that in order to address the challenges faced by young aspirants in securing party tickets, it had scheduled town hall meetings with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and other parties.