From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has declared that it is riped now for North Central Nigeria to produce the next president come 2023 general elections.
Saraki explained that it is unfortunate and undemocratic for the zone not to have produced president since the return of democracy in Nigeria.
The presidential hopeful who made the declaration in Lokoja on Sunday while wooing PDP delegates to vote for him at the primaries, said that he has all it takes to flag the party’s ticket and win overwhemly at the polls.
Besides, Saraki assured that he will tackle the rising insecurity in the country headlong if given the mandate.
“I will arrive in the office with a well-thought-out plan of my own; I will implement my plans with courage and conviction; and I will work every single day as if it would be my last,” Saraki stated, in an impressive extempore speech that drew applauses from his audience.
“I will be the bridge between the young and the old. I will be the bridge between the private sector and the public sector. I will be the bridge between Muslims and Christians. I will be the bridge between North and the South. Because I am the Nigerian for all Nigerians,” he stated.
The former Governor of Kwara State urged those who were still doubtful of his capabilities to give him a chance to prove them wrong.
“I can do it. My portfolio of experience at the executive level, and at the highest legislative institution of our country, makes me a unique asset in democratic leadership at a time that calls for consensus building, for cooperation and for compromise.
“I know how business works. I know how government functions. And I know how the legislature operates. This diverse experience stands me out. And I will bring the experience to bear in getting the most critical constituencies behind the tough decisions that we must take if Nigeria must survive,” he stated.
He observed that Nigeria’s journey to greatness was retarded because of leadership challenge over time saying he was the leader to turn things around.
“We never lacked ideas in this country. We all seem to know what needs to be done. What we have missed is leadership; the ability to rally everyone and everything around agreed priorities, to set measurable targets, to be uncompromising in achieving results, and to accept no excuse or justification for failure. This critical vacuum is what I intend to fill.”