The Senate President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said that for Nigeria to advance beyond its current state of borrowing, to a thriving nation, it needs a president who understands the language of investors.
He therefore charged Nigerians to use the PDP presidential primaries and the 2019 general elections to free Nigeria from the influence of a leader who does not know the importance of private sector in economic development.
Saraki who spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday where he canvassed for votes for the forthcoming PDP presidential primary coming up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, called on all Nigerians to join hands to rescue the country from bad governance.
His words: “This country needs a visionary leader, a leader who understands the language of investors, a president who would give Nigerians equal opportunities irrespective of ethnic backgrounds or religious affiliations and a leader we will be proud to have him speak anywhere in the world.”
He promised to create enabling environment for industries to thrive and to make Nigeria an investor’s haven, even as he regretted that the misfortunes bedeviling Nigeria had always been those of leaders who were myopic in thinking.
According to him, Nigeria required investment and not borrowing money, stressing that money could not go to where there was no credibility and rule of law, and where the leaders did not understand the language of investors.
Saraki promised to revisit the Petroleum Industry Bill, earlier passed by the National Assembly, to make it work, maintaining that Nigeria needed the PIB to grow.
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He drummed support for restructuring as being necessary for Nigeria to move forward.
He added that with it, every state would ensure it maximised its gains to attain its infrastructural potentials.
“I strongly believe in the issue of restructuring. Restructuring will ensure that every state reaches its potentiality. There are great opportunities here in Akwa Ibom and if left on your own, you can develop to get there.
“It is for the interest of Nigeria as well, because it is when all these states are fully developed that the country will get better.
Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, chairman of Udom Emmanuel Campaign Organisation, said Saraki had answers to all the problems that confront Nigeria, adding that he was able to say what Nigeria’s problems had been and how he would go about tackling them.
Mr. Paul Ekpo, the state PDP chairman, assured Saraki of the state’s votes, saying the state would celebrate Saraki on Sunday when the results are announced.