IN FULL: THE 19 POINTS SARAKI MADE WHILE DECLARING HIS PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION
IN
FULL: THE 19 POINTS SARAKI MADE WHILE DECLARING HIS PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION
9. We must ensure the security of lives in
Nigeria. As things stand now, no one is safe in this country. No one feels
truly safe. We must restore the sanctity of the rule of law and strengthen
democratic institutions in order to build a just, fair and equitable society
for all. We must rebuild the trust of our people in government. We need a new
generation of leaders that are competent, with the capability to rise to the
challenges of the 21st century. We must pull this country back together and
rebuild, block by block, with dedication and commitment.
Senate President Bukola Saraki finally declared his
long-held presidential ambition in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting with
young people at Sheraton Hotel.
Here are the 19 points he made:
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR
BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,
AT A DIALOGUE WITH YOUTH AND YOUNG ASPIRANTS HELD AT SHERATON HOTEL, ABUJA,
ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2018.
PROTOCOL.
1. Let me say, once again, how wonderful it is
to see so many talented and purposeful young people at this first edition of
the Public Dialogue Series with Political Parties on Youth Candidacy and Party
Primaries. Looking at you, I see future leaders who present themselves as
capable and worthy to take on the mantle of leadership in this country, and
this gladdens my heart.
2. From my interactions with many of you, and
with your contemporaries across the country, I can see that we are blessed with
a determined generation that stands ready to join with us to power a Nigerian
renaissance. The quality of people I see here today affirms my belief that,
indeed, you are Not Too Young To Run.
3. I deeply appreciate this opportunity to share
some of my ideas about where we are as a nation, as well as the challenges
before us as we approach the great decider that is the 2019 General Elections.
4. It is widely acknowledged that ours is a
relatively ‘young’ country bursting with tremendous energy, ability and
potential. More than 70 per cent of our population is under the age of
40. You are indeed the future of this country. Ordinarily, such a young
population would be the envy of many Western countries that are faced with
ageing populations, but the dire state of our affairs tarnishes the youthful
advantage that we have.
5. Up and down our country today, Nigerians are
crying out for succour. Many of our children are hungry. Many people are dying
of avoidable or otherwise treatable diseases. Many have fallen below basic living
standards, and are now among the 87 million that sealed Nigeria’s position as
the country with the highest number of people in extreme poverty. Our young
people lack opportunities. The necessary education facilities and system to
equip them for the future simply do not exist. We are not creating the jobs
needed to usefully engage them in order to grow our economy. And too often, the
youth feel shut out, prevented from having any say in the direction of this
nation.
6. The harsh conditions of extreme poverty faced
by the people, fuels the state of insecurity all over the country. Hunger, lack
of education and lack of opportunities push many Nigerians into criminal
activities including terrorism. Many of our communities are paralysed with fear
– due to incessant communal crises, kidnappings and other social ills, as well
as the threat of terrorism. We are failing abysmally to tackle the problems of
today and to prepare for the future.
7. Our economy is broken and is in need of
urgent revival in order for Nigeria to grow. GDP growth rate has declined.
Diversification remains an illusion. Unemployment is at an all-time high.
Businesses are shutting down. Jobs are being lost in record numbers, and the
capital needed to jumpstart our economy is going elsewhere.
8. Nigeria is perhaps more divided now than ever
before. We are increasingly divided along regional, religious and ethnic lines.
Nigerians are also divided by class, a festering gulf between the ‘Haves’ and
the ‘Have-Nots’. The fault lines of this nation are widening to an alarming
degree. We must do something fast, and we must be brave about it.
9. We must ensure the security of lives in
Nigeria. As things stand now, no one is safe in this country. No one feels
truly safe. We must restore the sanctity of the rule of law and strengthen
democratic institutions in order to build a just, fair and equitable society
for all. We must rebuild the trust of our people in government. We need a new
generation of leaders that are competent, with the capability to rise to the
challenges of the 21st century. We must pull this country back together and
rebuild, block by block, with dedication and commitment.
10. You will agree with me that this is an
urgent task that requires the concerted efforts of each and every one of us. If
we look around today, what do we see? What is the condition of our citizens?
Where are we as a nation? How are we perceived locally and internationally? Why
are we not making the expected progress? Why are we not growing? There is no
time to waste. The time is now, to come together to stimulate growth in
Nigeria, especially in the national economy.
11. The choice we face in the forthcoming
election is either to keep things as they are, or make a radical departure from
the old ways. To find a better way of doing things or keep repeating the
mistakes of the past. To fix the problems or keep compounding them.
12. It is with all these in mind, and taking
account of the challenges that I have outlined, that I have decided to answer
the call of teeming youth who have asked me to run for President. Accordingly,
I hereby announce my intention to run for the office of President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming General Elections in 2019 on the
platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). I do so with the firm
conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and
Nigerians.
13. My Plan for Nigeria has inclusion in all
aspects of the country’s affairs as a central pillar. Every citizen has the
inalienable right to feel a sense of belonging, no matter their background or
creed, or what part of the country they come from. No matter who you voted for
or what your convictions are, government must work for you.
14. Your generation does not deserve to live in
the poverty capital of the world. It is no longer an issue of how we got here,
but how do we get out of this situation? I promise you that I will lead the
fight and employ every God-given resource available to us in turning things
around. I am determined to grow Nigeria out of poverty. We will stimulate the
growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as one of the ways of energising
the economy and to create wealth for our people, especially the youth.
15. I want to see the youth play major roles at
all levels, not only in government but also in the private sector and indeed in
every area of Nigerian life. This will be a government driven by youthful
energy, innovation and a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit. Nigerian youth will
be given all the opportunities to realise their potential to the full within a
national framework that guarantees inclusiveness. For youth who have
ideas and capacity, we will make sure that there is funding for their ventures;
and we shall build on the Made in Nigeria legislation as part of our job
creation drive.
16. My plan is to secure Nigeria by redesigning
our national security architecture, while adequately equipping our security
agencies to fulfil their primary role of protecting lives and property.
17. I will address our infrastructural deficit
through aggressive financing initiatives including mutually beneficial PPP
arrangements, regular floating of bonds and other financial instruments, which
will ensure stable, adequate and reliable funding to see to the completion of
core projects especially road, rail and power.
18. My plan is to protect all Nigerians and
defend their constitutional rights and freedoms. I will stand for and uphold at
all times the principle of the rule of law, which is the bedrock of democratic
governance.
19. Ours will not be a selective fight against
corruption. The emphasis will be on strengthening institutions, with a
particular focus on deterrence. We cannot afford to compromise our institutions
with proxy wars against perceived political opponents. We see the fight against
corruption as crucial to Nigeria’s economic development.
20. I offer leadership driven by empathy. Where
leaders are responsive to the citizens. Where they know that government cares.
We will not be indifferent or turn a blind eye to the real concerns of our
people. Every single Nigerian life matters.
21. For me, the leadership we deserve is one
that will be a source of pride to all Nigerians, one that will be respected and
admired in Africa and around the world. It should be a leadership that can hold
its own and stand tall anywhere in the world. That is the type of leadership I
offer.
22. As a former two-term Governor and currently
President of the Senate by the grace of God, I believe I possess a unique blend
of executive and legislative experience to push for and implement reforms that
will deliver real improvements in the daily lives of our people. I know what it
takes to create jobs and grow the economy. I can make the tough decisions when
it matters. I will spearhead a new agenda that can transform the lives of
ordinary Nigerians in real terms.
23. Believe me when I say that it will not be
business as usual. This will be a dynamic government of action that will pursue
the growth of Nigeria with doggedness, determination and conviction. I will
lead a result-driven administration. We shall set targets with clear timelines
to ensure that anticipated deliverables are met. You can benchmark us and hold
us accountable. In short, I assure you that I will deliver on all promises.
What I envision is a new chapter in governance in this country. We will be
driven by what is best for Nigerians.
25. I have deliberately chosen the opportunity
of being here with you, my Number One constituency who I see as the future of
our great country, to make my intention known. I believe the Nigerian youth are
critical to rebuilding and growing the economy, and restoring our national
pride.
26. I therefore ask you and all well-meaning
Nigerians to join hands with me in this noble cause.
My brothers, My sisters, Let’s Grow Nigeria
Together.
God bless you all.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON.
