@BukolaSaraki’s presidential bid suspension is a mess – 7 reasons why

by Kolapo Olapoju

 

Senator Bukola Saraki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s major opposition party, on Sunday, 12 October, announced the suspension of his bid to run for the presidency at the 2015 elections.

Whether Saraki had a fighting chance in getting his party’s candidacy remains highly contentious, especially considering the fact that he would have had to beat Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, Muhammadu Buhari, amongst others at the primary election to emerge the APC’s candidate.

An herculean task, many have opined, so it didn’t exactly come as a surprise to Nigerians when he annoounce the suspension of his bid, which analysts believe would have falied anyway.

His announcement, and accompanying reasons, fell short of articulate, while seeking to convince his followers of what led to the suspension of his bid, as he only managed to echo the words of many politicians who have found themselves in his position in time past.

Basically, it was a well-written mess, and here are seven reasons why:

 

1. Senator Saraki says he is deciding to step down his ambition because, according to him, Nigeria’s political outlook for 2015 is very complicated and “this is the time for every patriotic politician to situate his personal ambition in the context of the country’s overall interest.”

[Here, Saraki is trying to make Nigerians believe that by some miracle, it was possible for a Nigerian politician to put the country’s interest over his/her personal ambition, in essence, be more selfless and patriotic. Mr Senator, at this point, we’ll refer you to the age-long saying that ‘If wishes were horse, beggars would ride’.]

 

2. “Party primaries in any healthy democracy would always leave several contenders disappointed and, sometimes bitter, as there would be only one winner. The party would then invest so much energy and time afterwards managing and reconciling various interests.”

[And here we were thinking there could be ‘two’ winners. Somebody needs to enlighten the Senator that everywhere in the world, same is the case, and Nigeria is not an exception, hence, he should kindly ditch this one as a reason. It certainly won’t fly with a toddler.]

 

3. “I don’t think our party can afford too much internal rancour going into next year’s election. I therefore think some of us need to make the sacrifice and be part of the solution rather than part of the problem of the party.”

[Mr Saraki, with all due respect, regardless of your presidential bid suspension, their will most certainly be internal rancour in your party, and even the PDP, before and after the next election. By now, it goes without saying that it comes with the territory in the Nigerian political sphere. This reason, Sir, is another lame excuse. Try again.]

 

4. “I have always maintained that I did not leave the ruling party to join the opposition because of any personal interest. Anyone who understands Nigeria’s politics would know that it takes courage and self-sacrifice to do that. Therefore, whether it is on the issue of the party or all other issues that I have been pushing in my position as a Senator of the Federal Republic, I have been driven primarily by my desire to see a better and more purposely governed country.”

[Politicians cross-carpet, almost on a weekly basis in Nigeria, and Saraki is trying to convince Nigerians that it takes a lot of “courage and self-sacrifice” to do that. If that’s the case, we must be very lucky to have a lot of courageous and selfless politicians in Nigeria. How refreshing and reassuring.]

 

5. “This is why some of us felt that we must make the necessary sacrifice and contribute to building a strong and united party that provides the only real alternative to the floundering Government that has become so constipated on power and lost touch with the realities that ordinary Nigerians grapple with everyday. We need to change the way the country is run, we need change in our security and the values we place on human life, we need to change the current disgraceful situation in security and corruption. And I believe only the APC can bring about this change and give our country the leadership it deserves.”

[He mentioned ‘sacrifice’ more than once in the release, a move which does a great disservice to the word. And then he committed the utimate goof, saying “I believe only the APC can bring about this change and give our country the leadership it deserves.” The APC is yet to give Nigerians a blueprint on how it intends to run the country, if/when it wins the presidential elections, and Mr Saraki is telling us that a party that does more criticism that ‘solution proferring’ will give Nigeria the leadership it deserves. It simply doesn’t add up.]

 

6. “A source close to Senator Saraki said even though his endorsement is being courted by the other aspirants, in the spirit of playing a role to being part of the solution to ensuring a rancor, bitter free presidential primaries, Senator Saraki will not officially endorse any of the candidates immediately, but will work tirelessly to see that who ever emerges is acceptable by all.”

[Since when did Atiku, Buhari and others need an endorsement from Saraki to have an added advantage at the primary elections of the APC? This one borrows a page from ‘the delusions of unmerited self-importance’.]

 

7. “Senator Saraki thanked his family, loyalists, followers and groups across the country, that have urged him to join the presidential race because of their belief that he is the best man to fix Nigeria, most especially the teeming youths who might feel disappointed as a result of this sacrificial decision by Senator Saraki, he urged them to keep hope alive and assured them that who ever will receive his support and endorsement will be someone who believes in our asipiration, interest and yearning for a better future for our teaming youth.”

[Saraki says he’s been urged to join the Presidential race because he’s the ‘best man to fix Nigeria’. Here folks, lies the overstatement of the century. Nothing much needs to be said on this, but to advise the Senator to wake up from his apparent dream-state.]

Comments (15)

  1. Kolapo the writer, are u out to smear d image of dis man? U are one of those pple who believe dt nothing gud comes out of Nazareth. Do u realize what it costs to leave a ruling party; not just a ruling party bt PDP for dt matter? Yet u dont believe him. So, everybody must queue in corruption driven PDP & further consolidate our corruption rating in d international community. I hope u hav received ur pay frm Oga Jona’s agents for d write-up.

  2. THEY SHOULD GO AHND HAVE SEVERAL SEATS. INCLUDING ATIKU

  3. @DEBOLA. NA SO NA. THATS THE SPIRIT

  4. the rich wants to get richer sha.

  5. did he think he was going to win again.

  6. bold step.

  7. he should go and sit his ass joor.

  8. you have done well mr saraki

  9. okay. good. even thought he did. he wont win.

  10. why did he announce first., looser.

  11. i was never aware of his ambition or of him.i thought his dad passed away already.?mtcheeeuw

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