Saraki
Leaders
of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the North-Central zone
have resolved to present a consensus candidate for the forthcoming
2019 presidential elections. They also said the time was ripe for the
zone to produce the next President of Nigeria since it has competent,
capable and experienced aspirants that can improve the fortune of the
country and her people.
The
resolution was taken at a meeting held Wednesday evening at
Grand Ibro Hotel, Abuja, attended by party leaders from the region,
which consisted of former governors, former and serving legislators,
members of the business community and the academia, where they were
briefed by Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on his
intention to seek the Office of the President.
However,
the choice of who the consensus aspirant from the zone will be is yet
to be decided.
The
PDP leaders from the region also emphasised that it is the turn of
the North Central region to produce the President of Nigeria, while
also mandating the leaders to engage their counterparts in other
geopolitical zones with a view to convincing them to support the
consensus aspirants that will be produced by from the North-central.
Speaking
to the leaders from the region, Saraki, stated that the North Central
region has been a stabilising factor in Nigeria, and from previous
experience, it is clear that its leaders have the capacity and
willp-power to unite and develop Nigeria.
“Our
zone has been the stabilising factor in Nigeria for many years, and
it is clear that we need to continue to fight for the soul of our
nation. The 2019 polls is not just an election, it is about winning
the soul of Nigeria. Right now, to me, and I’m sure to all the
other contestants under the umbrella of our great party, nothing is
more important than for us than to rescue our people from the clutch
of poverty, insecurity and ensure that we bring development to all
Nigerians.
“As
we move forward, we all need to be courageous. We must provide
compassionate leadership for our people. We must protect our people.
We must give them live and hope. Our people are asking: “What did
we do wrong?” Therefore, right now, we need to be courageous. We
must provide competent and compassionate leadership for this
country,” the Senate President said.
Saraki
also emphasised that leaders from the North Central have demonstrated
great capacity to lead, saying that they have always performed well
on national assignments.
“In
the last three years, we have struggled and worked to keep the
legislature working for the Nigerian people. We need to now lead the
country in the right direction. We must create a country that gives
opportunity for people to thrive. We need good leadership. This is
because, many of the problems that this country is facing is as a
result of low performance capacity. We need people who can search for
and find the solutions to our problems. We need somebody who can make
the country grow, and I believe, that I am this person,” the former
Kwara State Governor said.
The
Senate President called for the leaders to rally around individuals
who have a track record of providing competent and united leadership,
stating that a candidate from the North Central would help to bridge
the divides across the nation.
“Ladies
and gentlemen, this country will only change when those who know what
to do are put in charge and when we have the good leadership who know
what needs to be done to make the right change. Nigerians need a
unifier - somebody who can unite the country and grow the country. At
this time, I believe that it is a Presidential candidate from the
North Central that can do this for Nigeria.
“Leaders
from the North Central need to work together to ensure that a PDP
candidate emerges from the zone. It is clear that the only way
to achieve unity in the country is when you have a leader who can
manage the differences and galvanise our energy towards achieving
development.
It
is not about where you come from, but it is about what you can do for
our country. If there is anybody who can do better than those of us
in the North Central Zone, let them stand up. It is important that in
October, our delegates from the North Central should work to ensure
that a North Central candidate emerges - and they should work
together with delegates from across the country to ensure that a
North Central candidate emerges.We request your support,” he said.
Earlier,
in his opening remarks, the zonal vice chairman of the North-Central,
Mr. Theophilus Dakah Shan, agreed that it was true that the North
Central serves as a cardinal point for where Nigeria will go.
“Although
we are called a conglomerate of minority groups, we are a powerful
conglomerate that believes in the unity and stability of Nigeria. We
have seen how David Mark held the Senate together for eight years, in
the same way that Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has shown courage,
leadership and competence in stabilising the 8th Senate over the past
three years — which has helped it to record significant
achievements. Saraki is representing the North Central region very
well”, he stated.
In
his closing remarks, former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu,
said that the North Central region had to unite, because the
insecurity in the country is felt most in the zone.
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