TheCable

Bukola Saraki, former president of the senate, has formally declared his intention to run for president.

Saraki made his intention known at a breakfast meeting with journalists and some of his associates in Abuja on Thursday.

The former Kwara governor said he is running because there is a need to address problems that have been confronting the country for years.

“We all have reasons to be worried about the future of this country. But this is not the time to surrender and wallow in despair,” he said.

“Rather, this is the moment, when all patriots and citizens of goodwill must show courage, rise above those lines of divisions that have kept us apart over the years and ask this very important question: ‘where do we go from here?’

“I decided to become a doctor because of this ingrained desire to help and to serve others. And when in 1999, I joined government as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, I became even more acutely aware of the limitless possibilities for service through government; and of how political power in the hands of a committed, competent and courageous leadership can solve real problems and uplift the destiny of a nation and her people.

“It was this same realization that motivated me to contest and win election as the Governor of Kwara state in 2003.”

The presidential hopeful said as governor nobody thought he would succeed, but he was able to effect some changes in Kwara.

“I did not solve all the problems, but in eight years I left Kwara state better than I met it. We were able to confront old problems with new and innovative solutions,” he said.

“We implemented bold education reforms that brought children back to school, and improved the quality of teaching across the state.

“In all the positions that I have had the good fortune to occupy, I have been driven by the deep conviction to serve, to help, to proffer solutions and to leave behind a legacy of courage, of hard work and of unyielding commitment to making a difference.”

Saraki said as president he would increase the revenue from the non–oil sector.

“As long as there are still people in this country who believe that they can break the laws of Nigeria with impunity; who think that crime has no consequences, then the job is not done,” he said.

“And this is why I want to be president, because I will ensure strict compliance with the rule  of law and guarantee consequences for crime.

“I will deliver 500, 000 affordable housing units annually. I’ll create a viable platform to protect the African continent. I will be President for all because I represent the Nigerian identity. I will be the bridge between the North and South.”