Senate President Saraki Greets President Muhammadu Buhari
Senate President Buokola Saraki on Thursday declared his intention to run for the presidential post in the forthcoming 2019 elections.
The former Kwara State Governor declared his intention to run for the post, just a day after Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso joined the race.
Saraki had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party from the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside his successor Abdulfatah Ahmed recently.
He would also vie for the PDP’s ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Famzn News looks at five (5) reasons why Saraki wants to replace President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa:
DOGGED FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION VIA STRONG INSTITUTIONS
One of the reasons Saraki declared for the seat is to fight against corruption by building strong institutions.
He said, “Ours will not be a selective fight against corruption. The emphasis will be on strengthening institutions, with a particular focus on deterrence.
“We cannot afford to compromise our institutions with proxy wars against perceived political opponents. We see the fight against corruption as crucial to Nigeria’s economic development.”
RESTORATION OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC FORTUNES
As stated by the former Kwara State Governor, “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 also stated that “Nigeria is perhaps more divided now than ever before. We are increasingly divided 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.”
MAXIMUM SECURITY FOR NIGERIANS
During the declaration, Saraki vowed to “ensure the security of lives in Nigeria. As things stand now, no one is safe in this country.
“No one feels truly safe. We must restore the sanctity of the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions in order to build a just, fair and equitable society for all.”
RUNNING TO EMPOWER NIGERIAN YOUTHS, HEED THEIR CALL
One the reasons the Senate President declared was to give Nigerian youths a voice and heed to their calls to represent them.
“It is widely acknowledged that ours is a relatively ‘young’ country bursting with tremendous energy, ability, and potential,” he said during the declaration.
“More than 70 percent of our population is under the age of 40. You are indeed the future of this country.
“Ordinarily, such a young population would be the envy of many Western countries that are faced with aging populations, but the dire state of our affairs tarnishes the youthful advantage that we have.”
SARAKI BANKING ON EXPERIENCE
After eight years as Kwara State Governor, Saraki boosted that he has a “unique blend of executive and legislative experience to push for and implement reforms that will deliver real improvements in the daily lives of our people.
“I know what it takes to create jobs and grow the economy. I can make the tough decisions when it matters.
“I will spearhead a new agenda that can transform the lives of ordinary Nigerians in real terms.”