Categories
AFNewsNG Logo
Politics Special Report

2023: Saraki woos delegates, pledges special status for Lagos

Thompson Nsisongabasi

May 10, 2022

mail

A former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Monday evening wooed Lagos State PDP delegates for their votes, ahead of the May 28 and May 29 presidential primary election of the party.

READ ALSO: AGAIN: Archbishop Protests On Sack Cloth, Warns Buhari, Others | READ IN FULL

Saraki, who along with team, met with PDP leaders at Ikeja, said that if elected as the next president, Lagos State would be given a special attention as an investment destination in the country.

READ ALSO: Olawepo-Hashim Resigns From PDP, Vows To Resist One Party State -

The former governor of Kwara said that Nigeria needed a president with action and courage to stand and take some very bold decisions to reposition the nation.

READ ALSO: Oyo Govt Fixes Date For Local Council Election | SEE DETAILS

Saraki said: "Please, let me appeal to you, I am your own. Let us work together to ensure that we win at the federal and win at the state.

READ ALSO: Benue North-East: I will be running for Senate in 2027 - Suswam

"There is nobody among all the aspirants that has the same history and closeness to Lagos State as myself. Do not leave your own to go look for someone outside.

READ ALSO: (VIDEO) How APC thugs assaulted me, stole my $1000 - Imo Labour Party chairman speaks

"Together we can make this country better. My interest will be your interest. I want to appeal, don't share your delegate votes, this is my own state. I beg you.ÔÇØ

READ ALSO: Yusuf Buhari Declares Interest In House Of Representatives Seat -

On the calls for "special statusÔÇØ for Lagos, Saraki, who described such status as a special priority, said that state would have special attention in the scheme of things if is elected.

READ ALSO: "It's unfortunateÔÇØ - Akpabio reacts to sacked Senator Elisha Abbo's allegations

He urged the delegates not to be deceived with any gratification, saying leadership that would make Nigeria better should be uppermost.

READ ALSO: ADC Crisis: Nwosu Links INEC Decision to Jagaban Politics | READ WHY

According to him, Nigeria needs a president that has the capacity, knowledge and experience to unite the people, and that he is a best bridge between the North and the South.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Senate commences public hearing on Social Media Bill

He said that he had the capacity to reconcile people like he did when he led PDP Reconciliatory Committee which brought peace to some state chapters of the party which were bedevilled with crises.

READ ALSO: Nigeria: Supreme Court Set to Decide ADC Leadership Battle | SEE DATE

Saraki, who noted that none of the presidential aspirants either in PDP and APC had his kind of experience as a former two-term governor, Chairman, Governors' Forum, Senate President, said he had the experience to provide leadership that the nation needed.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Budgets N135bn For 2027 Election Lawsuits -

Describing himself as a team player, Saraki said that as senate president he shared powers with his colleagues who had confidence in him.

READ ALSO: 10th ASSEMBLY: PDP Senators-elect rejects the choice of Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President - Source alleges | READ HERE

He promised to work on security, youth unemployment and economy, adding that efforts would be made to standardise the nation's ports and build more.

READ ALSO: AGAIN: Archbishop Protests On Sack Cloth, Warns Buhari, Others | READ IN FULL

"I have shown that I can stand for what I believe in. I do not run from challenges, I face them. I am a solution provider. Every office that I have occupied, I have left it better than I met it.

READ ALSO: Olawepo-Hashim Resigns From PDP, Vows To Resist One Party State -

"I believe that given your support and I become president of Nigeria, I will leave Nigeria better than I meet it. I will become a chief marketing officer to sell Nigeria,ÔÇØ he added.

READ ALSO: Oyo Govt Fixes Date For Local Council Election | SEE DETAILS

The aspirant, who noted that youths and women would play key roles in his administration, recalled that as a former governor he ensured that every local government vice chairman was a women while one third of the assembly seats were occupied by women.

READ ALSO: Benue North-East: I will be running for Senate in 2027 - Suswam

He promised that within 48 months of the inauguration of his administration, efforts would be made to increase the nation's revenue through diversification, stoppage of fuel subsidy and borrowing for consumables.

READ ALSO: (VIDEO) How APC thugs assaulted me, stole my $1000 - Imo Labour Party chairman speaks

On zoning of the presidency, Saraki said that zoning was not the answer to Nigeria's present situation, but leadership.

READ ALSO: Yusuf Buhari Declares Interest In House Of Representatives Seat -

Alhaji Abdulrahman Owokoniran, PDP Zonal Secretary, South West, who noted that he was impressed by Saraki's speech, urged Lagos State delegates to unite and support Saraki to help the PDP to win the state.

READ ALSO: "It's unfortunateÔÇØ - Akpabio reacts to sacked Senator Elisha Abbo's allegations

Also, the former Lagos PDP Chairman, Mr Deji Doherty, said that Saraki remained a steadfast leader, who had special interest in Lagos State.

READ ALSO: ADC Crisis: Nwosu Links INEC Decision to Jagaban Politics | READ WHY

According to him, in term of the economy, private sector, and others, Saraki has the capacity, youthfulness, experience and courage to rescue Nigeria.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Senate commences public hearing on Social Media Bill

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the meeting was attended by Lagos PDP state and local government executives committees, some PDP zonal leaders, governorship aspirants and other leaders.

READ ALSO: Nigeria: Supreme Court Set to Decide ADC Leadership Battle | SEE DATE

NAN reports that Saraki had earlier visited the state and had a closed-door meeting with a former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George. (NAN)

Related Stories

""

— Thompson Nsisongabasi

Join the Conversation

Signed in as Member