2023: Saraki Makes Strong Bid For Presidency After Atiku’s Sokoto Gaffe  

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President says he’s the best among presidential hopefuls having served in both executive and legislative capacities.

Saraki, the scion of late Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the strongman of Kwara politics and a medical doctor-turned politician ruled the state for eight years. He was also the Senate President in the Eight Senate.

The former Governor of the state of Harmony as Kwara is widely known, disclosed this in Owerri, Imo while addressing the state chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.

Watchers of the opposition party have described the quest for the sole presidential ticket of the PDP as a three-horse race between Saraki, Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, another PDP aspirant is regarded as the weeping child in the race, even though he regards himself as a bridge between the old and new generations of politicians in the party.

But, Saraki said he’s the best among the three having acquired experience as a governor and legislature.

The former senate president spoke ahead of the May 28/29 presidential primary of the PDP, saying he was the right man for the country’s top job.

According to him, , “I am a detribalised Nigerian. As a Senate President, I stood for what was right. My experience puts me high above other aspirants. I have both the executive and legislative experiences to lead Nigeria and the private sector experience too. Restructuring can’t just happen.

‘You need a president who is courageous to do that. As a Senate President I said that fuel subsidy was a scam. I have the courage to lead Nigeria.

“The South-East and North Central have not produced President. If somebody from the South-East emerges, I will support the person. Nigeria needs a team player to unite Nigeria. I am a team player.”

Meanwhile, keen watchers of the PDP and former Vice President Abubakar say the decision of the Adamawa state born presidential aspirants to recant a statement earlier made to condemn the killing of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, might affect his chances in next year’s presidential election if he emerges the party’s candidate.

Atiku, in an earlier tweet condemning the gruesome murder said, “There cannot be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered, and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends.”

He later deleted the tweet which he claimed was not authorized by him.

“This evening I received information that a post was made that doesn’t agree with my orders. I use this to announce that any post without AA is not from me. May God protect – AA,” Atiku said.