The President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki has officially declared to run for President in the 2019 General Elections with a call on the Nigerian Youths to join hands with him to pursue a noble cause aimed at immediate rescue of the country from drifting further.
The Senate President chose the venue of the Dialogue with Youths and Young Aspirants held at the Sheraton Hotels Abuja, on Thursday August 30, 2018 to declare his intention to run; stating that youth clamour for him to contest shaped his interest and determination to contest for the topmost job.
While justifying further reasons for joining the presidential race, Saraki said that 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” he said.
The number three citizen who declared under the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also said that 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” he said..
Saraki as a former two-term Governor and currently President of the Senate said he is optimistic that his leadership of the country will bring about 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” the Senate President said.
