By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Sunday, visited Kogi State to seek the support of delegates ahead of the May 28 presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Saraki met with PDP leaders, including former governors, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada and the state party executives, at the Flourance Hall of Suitria Hotels in Lokoja.
Mr Saraki is one of the PDP presidential aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
His visit came days after another presidential aspirant and Governor
of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, visited the state to also woo the delegates.
While canvassing for votes of the delegates, Mr Saraki urged them not to vote based on sentiments.
He said that from his consultations across the nation, he had discovered that Nigerians were not interested in the political, ethnic, or religious leaning of aspirants.
“Nigerians are yearning for a candidate who really understands the challenges of the nation and who is wise, experienced, and courageous enough to take the bold and necessary steps to reposition the country.
“Nigerians desire a candidate who serves as a bridge between the young and the old generations, a bridge between the North and South, and a bridge between the Christians and the Muslims.
“With all sense of modesty, I am that person whom God had endowed with all these qualities and more, to move the nation to an enviable height,” he said.
The PDP chieftain recalled the “great work” he did in 2021 in restoring peace to the party in some states after more than a decade of internal wrangling.
“I was not thinking about the election when, in my capacity as the National Chairman, PDP Reconciliation Committee, I once restoration of peace to the party in those states.
“I believe that based on my antecedents and experience as a former Senate President, as well as my closeness to the people of Kogi State, my talk should not be much.
“I, hereby, appeal to you to support my presidential ambition by voting for me to clinch the party’s ticket at the forthcoming primary election,” he said.
Responding, former governor of Kogi State, Capt Idris Wada, said many aspirants had been to Kogi State to talk to the delegates, but Mr Saraki stood out.
He noted that 2023 was all about the collective destiny of Nigerians and urged Nigerians not to joke about it.
