10th May, 2022
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Presidential aspirant, Dr Bukola Saraki has promised delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state “special treatment” ahead of the May 28 and May 29 primary election.
Along with his team, Saraki met with top PDP leaders on Monday evening at Ikeja, Lagos.
If elected as the next president, Lagos State would be given special attention as an investment destination in the country, he said.
According to him, Nigeria needed a president with action and courage to stand and take some very bold decisions to reposition the nation.
“Please, let me appeal to you, I am your own. Let us work together to ensure that we win at the federal and win at the state.
“There is nobody among all the aspirants that have the same history and closeness to Lagos State as myself. Do not leave your own to go look for someone outside.
“Together we can make this country better. My interest will be your interest. I want to appeal, don’t share your delegate votes, this is my state. I beg you.”
On the calls for “special status” for Lagos, Saraki, who described such status as a special priority, said that the state would have special attention in the scheme of things if is elected.
He urged the delegates not to be deceived with any gratification, saying leadership that would make Nigeria better should be uppermost.
Saraki added that Nigeria needs a president that has the capacity, knowledge and experience to unite the people, and that he is the best bridge between the North and the South.
Also that he could reconcile people as he did when he led the PDP Reconciliatory Committee which brought peace to some state chapters of the party which were bedevilled with crises.
Meanwhile, he noted that none of the presidential aspirants either in PDP or APC had his kind of experience as a former two-term governor, Chairman, governor’ Forum, and Senate President.
Describing himself as a team player, Saraki said that as senate president he shared powers with his colleagues who had confidence in him.
He promised to work on security, youth unemployment and the economy, adding that efforts would be made to standardise the nation’s ports and build more.
“I have shown that I can stand for what I believe in. I do not run from challenges, I face them. I am a solution provider. In every office that I have occupied, I have left it better than I met it.
“I believe that given your support and I become president of Nigeria, I will leave Nigeria better than I meet it. I will become a chief marketing officer to sell Nigeria,” he added.
The former Kwara Governor noted that youths and women would play key roles in his administration.
Within 48 months of the inauguration of his administration, Saraki said efforts would be made to increase the nation’s revenue through diversification, stoppage of fuel subsidy and borrowing for consumables.
On zoning of the presidency, Saraki said that zoning was not the answer to Nigeria’s present situation, but leadership.
NAN