Senate President, Bukola Saraki
on Thursday formally declared his intention to run for presidency in the 2019
general elections under the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Saraki announced his intention
while speaking to youths at an event which held Sheraton hotel, Abuja
In his speech, Saraki promised to
set the right course for Nigeria.
His full speech below:
1. Let me say, once again, how
wonderful it is to see so many talented and purposeful young people at this
first edition of the Public Dialogue Series with Political Parties on Youth
Candidacy and Party Primaries. Looking at you, I see future leaders who present
themselves as capable and worthy to take on the mantle of leadership in this
country, and this gladdens my heart.
2. From my interactions with many
of you, and with your contemporaries across the country, I can see that we are
blessed with a determined generation that stands ready to join with us to power
a Nigerian renaissance. The quality of people I see here today affirms my
belief that, indeed, you are Not Too Young To Run.
3. I deeply appreciate this
opportunity to share some of my ideas about where we are as a nation, as well
as the challenges before us as we approach the great decider that is the 2019
General Elections.
4. It is widely acknowledged that
ours is a relatively ‘young’ country bursting with tremendous energy, ability
and potential. More than 70 per cent 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 ageing
populations, but the dire state of our affairs tarnishes the youthful advantage
that we have.
5. Up and down our country today,
Nigerians are crying out for succour. Many of our children are hungry. Many
people are dying of avoidable or otherwise treatable diseases. Many have fallen
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. Our young people lack opportunities. The necessary education
facilities and system to equip them for the future simply do not exist. We are
not creating the jobs needed to usefully engage them in order to grow our
economy. And too often, the youth feel shut out, prevented from having any say
in the direction of this nation.
6. The harsh conditions of extreme
poverty faced by the people, fuels the state of insecurity all over the
country. Hunger, lack of education and lack of opportunities push 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. We must 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. We must rebuild the trust of our people in government. We need
a new generation of leaders that are competent, with the capability to rise to
the challenges of the 21st century. We must pull this country back together and
rebuild, block by block, with dedication and commitment.
10. You will agree with me that
this is an urgent task that requires the concerted efforts of each and every
one of us. If we look around today, what do we see? What is the condition of
our citizens? Where are we as a nation? How are we perceived locally and
internationally? Why are we not making the expected progress? Why are we not
growing? There is no time to waste. The time is now, to come together to
stimulate growth in Nigeria, especially in the national economy.
11. The choice we face in the
forthcoming election is either to keep things as they are, or make a radical
departure from the old ways. To find a better way of doing things or keep
repeating the mistakes of the past. To fix the problems or keep compounding
them.
12. 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.
13. My Plan for Nigeria has
inclusion in all aspects of the country’s affairs as a central pillar. Every
citizen has the inalienable right to feel a sense of belonging, no matter their
background or creed, or what part of the country they come from. No matter who
you voted for or what your convictions are, government must work for you.
14. Your generation does not
deserve to live in the poverty capital of the world. It is no longer an issue
of how we got here, but how do we get out of this situation? I promise you that
I will lead the fight and employ every God-given resource available to us in
turning things around. I am determined to grow Nigeria out of poverty. We will
stimulate the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as one of the ways
of energising the economy and to create wealth for our people, especially the
youth.
15. I want to see the youth play
major roles at all levels, not only in government but also in the private
sector and indeed in every area of Nigerian life. This will be a government
driven by youthful energy, innovation and a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit.
Nigerian youth will be given all the opportunities to realise their potential
to the full within a national framework that guarantees inclusiveness. For
youth who have ideas and capacity, we will make sure that there is funding for
their ventures; and we shall build on the Made in Nigeria legislation as part
of our job creation drive.
16. My plan is to secure Nigeria
by redesigning our national security architecture, while adequately equipping
our security agencies to fulfil their primary role of protecting lives and
property.
17. I will address our
infrastructural deficit through aggressive financing initiatives including
mutually beneficial PPP arrangements, regular floating of bonds and other
financial instruments, which will ensure stable, adequate and reliable funding
to see to the completion of core projects especially road, rail and power.
18. My plan is to protect all
Nigerians and defend their constitutional rights and freedoms. I will stand for
and uphold at all times the principle of the rule of law, which is the bedrock
of democratic governance.
19. 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.
20. I offer leadership driven by
empathy. Where leaders are responsive to the citizens. Where they know that
government cares. We will not be indifferent or turn a blind eye to the real
concerns of our people. Every single Nigerian life matters.
21. For me, the leadership we
deserve is one that will be a source of pride to all Nigerians, one that will
be respected and admired in Africa and around the world. It should be a
leadership that can hold its own and stand tall anywhere in the world. That is
the type of leadership I offer.
22. As a former two-term Governor
and currently President of the Senate by the grace of God, I believe I possess
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.
23. Believe me when I say that it
will not be business as usual. This will be a dynamic government of action that
will pursue the growth of Nigeria with doggedness, determination and
conviction. I will lead a result-driven administration. We shall set targets
with clear timelines to ensure that anticipated deliverables are met. You can
benchmark us and hold us accountable. In short, I assure you that I will
deliver on all promises. What I envision is a new chapter in governance in this
country. We will be driven by what is best for Nigerians.
25. I have deliberately chosen
the opportunity of being here with you, my Number One constituency who I see as
the future of our great country, to make my intention known. I believe the
Nigerian youth are critical to rebuilding and growing the economy, and restoring
our national pride.
26. I therefore ask you and all
well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with me in this noble cause.
My brothers, My sisters, Let’s
Grow Nigeria Together.
God bless you all.
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