Ahead of the 2023 general elections, former Senate President Bukola Saraki has asked Nigerians to focus on the capacity and competence of aspirants instead of canvassing for zoning and regional sentiments.
He stated that the country has been divided along ethnic and religious lines and it is high time that the country moves beyond these sentiments before the upcoming elections.
Saraki, who was on Wednesday endorsed by former military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, made the submission in a series of tweets via his Twitter handle on Thursday.
The former Kwara governor disclosed that if he is elected as the next President in 2023, Nigerians will “have a greater sense of what it means to be truly Nigerian”, adding that he is the “Nigerian for all Nigerians”.
The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, advised Nigerians not to allow issues of the past to shape their future when they could work together and be united.
He wrote: “For quite some time now, as a nation, we have focused on the old arguments of ethnicity and regional sentiments, instead of capacity, competence, and other critical issues.
“However, whenever we watch football and when it is time to celebrate as Nigerians at weddings and other social engagements, we are united. Why should we allow past issues to drag us back and define us? Why do we focus on the old issues that do not define our future?
“This is why, based on my track record, if I am allowed to lead, all Nigerians will have a greater sense of what it means to be truly Nigerian. And yes, I believe that I am the “Nigerian for all Nigerians!”
Thanks, Ariyo,
For quite some time now, as a nation, we have focused on the old arguments of ethnicity and regional sentiments, instead of capacity, competence, and other critical issues. https://t.co/h6iZanx2aN
— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) February 3, 2022
However, whenever we watch football and when it is time to celebrate as Nigerians at weddings and other social engagements, we are united.
Why should we allow past issues to drag us back and define us?
Why do we focus on the old issues that do not define our future?
— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) February 3, 2022
This is why, based on my track record, if I am allowed to lead, all Nigerians will have a greater sense of what it means to be truly Nigerian.
And yes, I believe that I am the “Nigerian for all Nigerians!” pic.twitter.com/C6Qr3J9MeM
— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) February 3, 2022
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