Saraki: I’ll Run Inclusive Govt If Elected President

• Consults South-east govs, delegates

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has promised to run an inclusive government if elected president in February 2019.

The Senate president, who last week threw his hat in the ring for the country’s number one seat, yesterday continued his consultation with governors and leaders of the PDP in the South-east zone.

The Director General of Saraki for President Campaign Organisation, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, in a statement quoted Saraki as making the pledge while flagging off his nationwide ‘Meet The Delegates’ Campaign Tour in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, yesterday.

The presidential aspirant stated that upon his election as president he would operate an inclusive cabinet with a view to ensuring equity and fairness.

Saraki had told party loyalists and supporters, including Governor Dave Umahi and serving Senators, at a reception in his honour that Nigerians deserves a president with proven capacity and capability in 2019.

He further told his audience that Nigeria is at a major cross-roads in its developmental history adding that at a “critical period such as this, the President Nigeria deserves must be the very best available with proven capacity, knowledge and capability.”

While congratulating Governor Umahi on his excellent performance in the state which led to his endorsement for a second term by the state PDP stakeholders, Saraki also seized the opportunity to request for similar endorsement by the Ebonyi state delegates to the PDP national convention.

Saraki implored Nigerians to choose leaders that have capacity to move the country forward, lamenting that Nigeria has never been so divided like in the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the choice of Ebonyi State was informed based on the developmental agenda of the present administration and leadership prowess and his quest for inclusiveness in governance.

“There is a high level of un-inclusivness in the country. We must choose leaders that have capacity to move the country forward. What you are seeing in Ebonyi is not by chance, it is because your governor has capacity that that is why you are witnessing development. How then can you choose a man with capacity in your state without choosing also a leader with capacity at the national level”

“We fight poverty, we will fight corruption too and not do a selective corruption fight. We will develop solid minerals in Ebonyi State. We will bring private investors into the country and turn around youth involvement in governance by bringing youths to governance”

Umahi who was presented with the governorship norminaton form purchased by the members of the State Executive Council described Senator Saraki as a refined Nigerian and defender of democracy as well as friend to Ebonyi State.

Governor Umahi reiterated his earlier promise to return power to Abakaliki bloc in 2023 after his second term, adding that his administration remains focused on the developmental agenda.

“We will handover a state that is most beautiful, best economy and richest in the country” the governor said.

He commended Saraki for standing firm over the various crises and urged that the National Assembly must work together to unite the country and turn its fortunes to the best.

Meanwhile, Saraki yesterday continued his consultation with governors and leaders of PDP in the South-east zone.

He met with PDP leaders in the North-central zone in Abuja last Wednesday evening before he jetted out of Abuja yesterday morning with members of his campaign team to Enugu.

While in Enugu, the presidential aspirant will be meeting with the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and party stalwarts and delegates as part of his ongoing consultations with party faithful ahead of the October 6 presidential primaries of the PDP.

On Friday, the campaign train will move to Umuahia, the Abia State capital, for Saraki to also consult with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and other top PDP chieftains in the state before proceeding to Owerri, the Imo State capital, where he will meet party leaders and delegates and as usual, canvass for their support towards the realisation of his presidential ambition.