Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged delegates to vote for capacity and not sentiments.
He made the call on Thursday in Gombe at a meeting with delegates ahead of May 28 presidential primaries of the party.
Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State, said that he was in Gombe to inform the delegates of his intention to contest and seek their blessings to achieve his ambition to clinch the party’s ticket in the 2023 general elections.
“I need to emphasise that at this particular time in the country, we need a president that will provide strong leadership and one that knows what leadership requires.
“This is important so that we will not vote just on sentiments but on capacity; we have seen the mistakes that had happened over the years.
“I am here to appeal to you to vote for me because you have seen what I have done as governor and in the Senate.
“You should look at all the aspirants and vote the one that is competent and I believe I am competent,” he said.
Saraki stated that of all the aspirants, he was more qualified in view of his experience, adding that, “I have been in the business sector, government at the executive and legislature.”
The presidential hopeful said that he would work to ensure peace and security by bridging all gaps to ensure that Nigerians of all faith coexisted peacefully.
On alleged plans by the PDP to impose a candidate, Saraki said “I am not aware of such.
“Our party is very disciplined, is a party with democratic principles built on inclusiveness and we are working towards smooth conventions and the message to Nigerians is that this is the right party.”
In his remarks, Gombe PDP Chairman, Maj.-Gen. Abnon Kwaskebe (rtd) assured the aspirant of the delegates support ahead of the primaries.
Kwaskebe said that Saraki had played major roles in ensuring peace and unity in the country in view of his position as a former governor and senate president.
In Jalingo, Taraba State capital, Saraki told delegates that he would adopt technology to end banditry and other insecurity sources when voted to power.
He said he was in the state to seek the support of Taraba delegates to be Nigeria’s next President.
“The country has gone through so much and we need to do things differently.
“We can not have the same type of leaders tomorrow as we have today. 2023 is about the future of this country and our children.
“This country has been so divided and we can’t afford to use sentiments to vote.
“We must do it right for the sake of those who died for no fault of theirs.
“We have been through so much in this country and we must apply for competence to rescue Nigeria.
“I am the only aspirant who has come out with policy direction to solve Nigeria’s problem because its bad leadership is responsible for insecurity.
“We need a President that understands the economy and has vision for investment as my agriculture revolution in Kwara remains the largest livestock producer in Nigeria till today,” he said.
Saraki promised to boost investment in mining and agriculture, to create empowerment for Nigerians
In his response, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State said Saraki was competent and courageous.
” We need someone that will fix insecurity and bring investment. Saraki has good credentials to lead Nigeria and I urge the delegates and Nigerians to vote for competence,” he said.
