Former Kwara state governor and chieftain of the All progressives Congress (APC) senator Bukola Saraki on Sunday, October 12, 2014 declared that he would be dropping his 2015 presidential ambition in the interest of the country and his party, Vanguard reports.
The withdrawal was contained in a statement signed by Saraki which read in parts: “Though my presidential interest has sparked widespread excitement across the country and has received major supports from key stakeholders and youth groups based on my leadership profile, characterized by infrastructural development, economic growth and striving social wellbeing; I decided to step down my ambition because, Nigeria’s political outlook for 2015 is very complicated and this is the time for every patriotic politician to situate his personal ambition in the context of the country’s overall interest.”
He also sighted party reasons for his decision. He said in any any healthy democracy, party primaries will always produce one winner, leaving other contenders disappointed, aggrieved and bitter, giving the party the arduous task of reconciling aggrieved members. He therefore said he didn’t think the APC could afford too much internal ramblings ahead of the 2015 polls, hence his decision to be part of the solution and not the problem.
Saraki further said “Nigeria desperately needs change.We need to change the way the country is run, we need change in our security and the values we place on human life, we need to change the current disgraceful situation in security and corruption. And I believe only the APC can bring about this change and give our country the leadership it deserves. APC can only live up to the aspirations of Nigerians for change if it is not derailed by too much acrimony from its primaries which is coming so close to the general elections.”
“This is why some of us felt that we must make the necessary sacrifice and contribute to building a strong and united party that provides the only real alternative to the floundering Government that has become so constipated on power and lost touch with the realities that ordinary Nigerians grapple with everyday.”
The serving senator also said that he has had extensive discussions with other aspirants namely: former vice president Atiku Abubakar, former head of state, Muhammadu Buhari and governor of Kano state, Rabiu Kwakwanso and felt that they had enough potential and commitment to take the country on a different path.
“I thanked my family, loyalists, followers and groups across the country, that have urged me to join the presidential race because of their belief that I am the best man to fix Nigeria, most especially the teeming youths who might feel disappointed as a result of this sacrificial decision,i urged them to keep hope alive and assured them that who ever will receive my support and endorsement will be someone who believes in our asipiration, interest and yearning for a better future for our teaming youth. I reinstated my commitment to the interest of the youths being protected and secured so that at the end of the day, everyone will speak with one voice ,urged all of them to continue to support APC. “the statement stated in conclusion.
