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Tag: Bukola Saraki

  • Saraki urges PDP delegates not to vote on sentiment

    Senate President and presidential hopeful, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki has said that religious and ethnic considerations should not determine who gets the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket.

    Saraki, therefore urged delegates of the party going for presidential convention not to vote on the basis of sentiments but should elect a candidate that would give Nigeria good leadership.

    He spoke on Wednesday during consultation visit to delegates and supporters of PDP at the party Secretariat in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.

    “This country needs a president that all of us will look at him and say I will have a fair hearing, a president that will represent everybody, a president that will represent me no matter any religion.

    “It is time as a country that we do not vote on sentiment. We should not vote because we come from this part of the country. Let us vote for a man or woman that we believe will move the country forward,” Saraki said.

    Read Also: Shekarau, Gaya, Jibril win Kano senatorial seats

    The Senate President noted that in line with the new world order, countries are electing visionary leaders who have the capacity to develop potentials for sustainable development and all inclusive governance.

    Saraki said that if voted into power, the Petroleum Industry Bill would his priority to bring development to oil sector.

    “Definitely, if voted into power that is the first thing I am going to do. Unfortunately the issues that are being raised are none issues.

    “The PIB is too important for us to be buck down by issues, that either by legislative law making.

    “If I emerge as the candidate of party and president, I can assure you that law will be one of the few things to do and sign it into law.

    “We need it in order to provide jobs for millions of youths that are looking for job we need it to improve on our oil and gas sector”, he said.

    Saraki said that his government would develop infrastructure and provide enabling environment to attract private investors, stressing that private investors would create job opportunities for the teeming youth.

    “Most important thing is to create enabling environment that will bring investors, investors can only operate where they have confidence in the leadership, confidence in your policies that will drive the business.

     

     

  • Buhari, Gowon, observe Independence Day parade at Eagle Square

    Saraki, Dogara absent 

     

    Against all odds, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday observed the 58th Independence Day parade at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

    The last time the ceremony held at the Eagles Square was in 2010 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    That parade in 2010 was marred by bomb blasts.

    Since that year, subsequent independence anniversary parade were held in low key at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari, who already made national broadcast marking the 58th independence anniversary at 7am, on Monday broke the jinx and arrived the Eagles Square venue of the parade around 9.30am.

    But the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara were conspicuously absent at the Eagle Square.

    According to the programme circulated to guests, they were listed to arrive the venue by 9.10a.m for the event.

    Saraki and Dogara have recently dumped the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Others who attended the ceremony included Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, the former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    Former military leader, Oladipo Diya and cabinet members also attended the parade.

    There was inspection of guards by President Buhari, which was followed by march past in slow and quick time.

    There was also march past by para-military organisations, agencies and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) mounted troops.

    Also on display were military equipment march past on low loaders

    Police dogs displaying the trainings they had acquired also thrilled the guests while outriders also displayed their skills.

    There was also aerial show by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    Recalled that while training for the aerial show, there was two jets crash on Friday, which claimed the life of one pilot and leaving two wounded survivors.

    Rounding off the ceremony at the Eagles Square, there were firing of volleys and 21 gun salute by the military personnel.

    Before departing the venue, President Buhari signed the 58th Independence anniversary register.

    Speaking to journalists at the end of the ceremony, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said “You have seen what we displayed today, we are capable of defending this nation.”

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, noted that the last time independence anniversary was celebrated in full was in 2010.

    Read Also: Full text: Muhammadu Buhari’s 58th Independence Day address

    According to him, a child born seven years would not have idea of how independence anniversary is celebrated in Nigeria.

    He said that there is relative calm in the north east and checkmating of banditry in the North West and north central as a result of acquisition of more military equipment under the present administration.

    He urged Nigerians to be patient and trust the leadership of President Buhari.

    Shortly after Buhari and the dignitaries left the venue, some APC youths wearing black T-shirt took over the arena.

    In a procession with the APC flag, they started moving around, singing songs in support of President Buhari towards the 2019 Presidential election.

    Trouble however started when somebody, who infiltrated the group, stole the telephone set of one of the youth.

    Rather than submit the telephone set when he was caught, he drew out dagger to scare away those who tried to get the telephone set from him.

    With the thief’s supporters at the venue backing him, it almost turned to free for all fight.

    They ran, pushed and pursued one another around the venue for over 15 minutes.

    It got bloody when some of the thief’s gang started throwing stones, which made the youths to run helter skelter around the venue for safety.

    One young boy of about 15 years was not too lucky as one of the stones landed on his head.

    The boy, who was bleeding profusely, was given first aid treatment by some members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps at the venue.

     

     

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu seek more vibrant citizens’ input in governance

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, have urged the citizens to ensure a more vibrant, constructive and patriotic citizen participation in the governance.

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, noted that one of the key reasons for the non-realisation of the dreams of the founding fathers, who fought for the nation’s independence from the colonial government, was because the citizens failed to seize control of the fortunes and future of the country.

    He said the citizens allowed sentiments to determine the choice of leaders and what national objectives should entail.

    The Senate president said: “At this point when democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, all Nigerians should use the occasion of the 58th Independence Anniversary to redefine what should constitute the Nigerian dream, rally round that dream, support leaders who are capable and competent to realise that dream.

    “Citizens should stop abandoning politics and political choices to politicians and manipulative elements, who invoke only religious, ethnic and geo-political sentiments to impose leadership who are only supported for the purpose of serving the interests of those who put them in office.”

    According to him, “Nigerians should re-dedicate themselves to the ideals of defining their personal interests in line with how it helps the realisation of national objectives. Our national objectives should simply be to build a united, peaceful, economically strong and internationally respected country, with robust military, well-motivated work-force, ambitious youth and fulfilled citizens.

    “These ideals are what we should rally our people around. The people should not allow government officials and politicians to continue manipulating them in pursuit of narrow interests. It is only manipulation that will allow voters to ignore the competence, experience, suitability and temperament of aspirants for public office and rather focus on where he comes from, how he worships his God and how much he is ready to dole out.”

    Ekweremadu, on his part, said only free, fair and credible elections could secure Nigeria’s democracy and guarantee the much-needed good governance that would restore her to the pinnacle of glory.

    He described a rigged election as a “coup by other means” against the will of the people and should have no place in a democracy.

    The deputy Senate president, in his goodwill message to Nigerians, said: “As we have always known, Nigeria is one of the most endowed nations on earth, but has not lived up to the promises she held at independence.

    “For our nation to make progress, our democracy must flourish. And for our democracy to flourish, the people should be at liberty to elect leaders with the requisite character, knowledge, and pedigree, to turn the fortunes of the country around.

    “Importantly, the government, stakeholders, and all institutions of democracy, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, must respect and uphold the right of the people to exercise this franchise in a free, fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful atmosphere.”

  • Saraki, Bafarawa, chides Buhari over Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges

    The duo of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former Sokoto state governor, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, both aspiring for the endorsements of PDP delegates for election as Presidential candidate of the party, have blamed the policies and programs of President Buhari’s government as responsible for the present economic and political downturn being experienced in the country, and promised to do ‘’damage control’’, if elected

    Both Presidential hopefuls were respectively in Katsina to campaign for votes from the party delegates to the National convention slated for Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Saturday October 6

    Saraki further advocated generational change in the leadership of the country adding that Nigeria was in need of young and courageous leaders that would bring about the needed socio-economic transformation people are yearning for.

    He said politics at the global level today was centered on youths as leaders, and that Nigeria would be wise to tow such line during the forthcoming general elections.

    He said ‘It was due to this that I decided to offer myself to Nigerians as a viable candidate for Aso Rock, on platform of the PDP.

    “Nigeria needs strong and courageous leaders. Politics in Nigeria today requires tested and courageous people. It is time for the youths to rule the country,”

    Saraki said he was confident of delegates from the state casting their vote for him for the party’s presidential ticket.

    He said his confidence was based on his strong relationship with several PDP stakeholders, particularly the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua as well as ex-governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

    Read Also: APC presidential primary: Buhari polls 98% in Zamfara

    He assured that if elected, he would give priority to addressing the problem of poverty in the country, as well as ensure proper representation for the people as nation’s president.

    He said Katsina PDP was first in the country to elect a consensus candidate in person of Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke that would fly the party’s ticket for the governorship polls in the state.

    He called on party members to elect candidates of the party come next general election s, so that the country would be free from the challenges APC had created.

    Bafarawa on his part said as state governor for eight years, he did not receive any salaries, but could afford to purchase a nomination form in the range of President Buhari’s.

    He wondered why the president would need anyone to buy him the form, even though he had been nation’s leader and occupied various juicy posts in the past.

    On his campaign, Bafarawa said he had traversed through 30 states in the country by road to meet with delegates on his presidential ambition.

    He said if elected, he would carry out what he described as “damage control” to take the country out of the malaise the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had put her into.

    He said as president, he would not bother about probing into what the APC government had done or refused to do, but would work out ways the nation can move forward socio-economically.

    He however called on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to allow for fairness and level playing field for all its aspirants during its presidential primary and express confidence in the delegates from the state casting their vote for him for the party’s Presidential ticket.

    Speaking, the party’s chairman in the state, Salisu Majigiri condemned the ruling All Progressive Congress-led (APC) government of flouting court orders.

    Majigiri said the APC has little regard for the rule of law, and was in habit of not giving the National Assembly (NASS) the recognition it deserved.

    He called on party members to elect candidates of the party to come out next general election s, so that the country would be free from the challenges APC had created

  • Saraki eulogies dead NAF officer, laments crash incident

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the family of the Air Force pilot, who died in a crash in Abuja on Friday.

    The crash involved two NAF fighter jets participating in a flying rehearsal for the nation’s 58th Independence anniversary on Monday.

    One of the pilots, Squadron Leader Bello Baba-Ari, died in the incident.

    Saraki’s reaction came in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Saturday.

    He described the dead pilot and his colleagues involved in the incident as “true heroes dedicated to their national calling.”

    Read Also: Independence Day rehearsal: Pilot dies as two Air Force planes crash in Abuja

    He lamented the accident and called for special recognition for all the officers – both dead and alive – who partook in the “unfortunate national assignment.”

    Saraki said, “I am saddened over the tragic crash of two Nigerian Air Force fighter jets in Abuja that led to the loss of an officer and injuries on others.

    “The affected officers are true heroes among countless other military personnel who continue to put their lives on the line to defend and make the country proud.

    “Nigeria has lost a truly dedicated and patriotic officer.

    “The departed officer and his colleagues, who survived the unfortunate crash, deserve special recognition and place in annals of the nations’s military history.”

    He, however, lauded the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies for the prompt and successful rescue mission, which has helped to preserve the lives of the other personnel.

  • ‘I believe in Buhari’s change agenda’

    Dispels rumours of being a mole

     

    The governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwara State, Hon. Mashood Mustapha on Monday declared his total support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda.

    The ex-special to Senate President Bukola Saraki on parliamentary affairs dispelled the rumour making the round that he an agent of Saraki in APC.

    The governorship aspirant said this in Ilorin, the state capital when he formally declared his intention to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    He added that if elected, he would consolidate on the efforts of the Federal Government in sustaining and adding value to the development Nigeria is currently enjoying.

    “I reiterate my unwavering loyalty to President Buhari, the good people of Kwara state, the national and state leadership of the APC. I however, want to implore the leadership of our party to give room for internal democracy within our party. Every aspirant should be given a level playing ground so as to achieve a rancor free primary election.

    “Whoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer should bear in mind that there is no victor or vanquished; we have a common goal and we must unite to make our goal a reality,” he said.

    Said he: “I want to use this opportunity to address the rumour of me being a mole in APC. When I first heard that allegation I waved it off thinking it will fade out when my party members see my efforts and commitment to the party. Ironically, some elements within and outside our party have seen that as an opportunity to dent my image owing to the fact that I have an unblemished record asides my past relationship with the Senate President.

    Read Also: 2019: ‘Buhari is our strongest selling point’

    “It is on record that virtually all politicians in the state have had one form of relationship or the other with the Saraki’s until political differences tear them apart. Mine is not an exception. I worked

    Senator Saraki right from when he became the governor of the state up till when he became the Senate President, but I had to quit after all efforts to allow for internal democracy failed and I could no longer cope with the way he imposes his decision on others. I have a mind of my own and I cannot be a puppet to anyone.

    “For those who say I am a mole to Senator Saraki in APC, I want you to search your hearts deeply and ask yourselves if a mole bears the kind of persecution I suffered in hands of the Sarakites. I also want you to sincerely ask yourselves if a mole can openly criticize the policies of the incumbent government of the state and also take a position when some opportunists attempted to exhume our defunct nPDP platform to derail the president and his administration through the formation of illegal and irresponsible Reformed APC.”

  • Mantu commends Secondus for ‘repackaging PDP’

    Dr. Umar Mantu, a House of Representatives aspirant in Plateau, has commended PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, for “repackaging PDP into a portent political force’’.

    Mantu, son of former deputy senate president Ibrahim Mantu, who is seeking to represent Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency, spoke on Monday in Bokkos, in an interactive session with PDP stakeholders in the constituency.

    “Not long ago, the PDP was virtually written off by political analysts, but the situation has changed dramatically.

    “Now, the PDP is a portent political force courted by many and envied by rival political groups.

    “Few months ago, all we heard were people defecting from the party to other political parties. Now, everyone is rushing into the PDP. It has turned into our modern Noah’s ark.

    “The PDP has attracted new members and regained the old ones that left. It has regained the leadership of the National Assembly with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Tanimu Dogara back to the fold.

    “We started this year as an opposition party, but we now lead the legislative arm of government and the rival APC has been reduced to the opposition party.

    “Secondus has done so much for the party. He has re-positioned the PDP into a popular brand cherished by everyone. In fact, even PDP’s rivals admire and envy his leadership style,’’ Mantu, a 32-year-old lawyer, said.

    Mantu particularly lauded the PDP national and state leaderships for learning from its past mistakes and resolving to make every member a stakeholder.

    “Those defecting to the PDP had many options. There are close to 100 other options, but the defectors chose to troop to PDP because of the way its affairs are being steered,’’ he said.

    The aspirant particularly commended the PDP leadership for remaining firm and standing by its promise to be fair to everyone.

    Read Also: Mantu’s son, Umar, joins race for House of Reps seat

    He also commended the PDP leadership for respecting people’s wishes and carrying everyone along in decision making processes, saying that the impunity that brought the party to its knees in 2015 was no longer the trend.

    On his aspiration, Mantu said that he was consulting with stakeholders toward picking the PDP ticket in the primary election, and expressed confidence that winning the secondary election would be “much easier’’.

    “I have met with the delegates that will determine my fate in the primary election and they have promised to vote for me. I have no reason to doubt them,’’ he said.

    The aspirant also commended the national and state leaderships of the party for accommodating the interests of the youth and women, and encouraging them to vie for elective posts.

    “The PDP offers free nomination forms to women seeking elective positions and strives to encourage them to vie for its tickets. I see this as a very positive development,’’ he said.

    Mantu urged women and the youth to take full advantage of such opportunities to pursue their ambitions so as to contribute to societal growth, and cautioned them against allowing anyone to intimidate them.

  • Presidential aspirants pour libations

    SOMETIME last week, presidential aspirants David Mark and Bukola Saraki visited former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in furtherance of their quests for high office. The former military leader is the chief priest of one of the political shrines aspirants of all shades visit to pour the libation of their ambitions. Senator Mark, a former senate president, visited General Babangida two Saturdays ago; and Sen Saraki, the current but embattled senate president, visited on Sunday. Another contender, ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar, had earlier gone to the same shrine to pour his own libation. Gen Babangida, as is his custom, is not averse to holding regal court and speaking dissemblingly royal. He did both in spectacular fashion two weekends ago in a manner that evoked images of his past splendour.

    The other shrine, though exuding false and immoderate potency, is the power reliquary superintended by, this time, High Priest Olusegun Obasanjo, former military head of state and two-term (1999-2007) president. There is hardly any contender for the main Nigerian power prize who does not venture into this second shrine to pour libation, asking for endorsement, and perhaps willing to pay any price. With the exception of Alhaji Atiku, nearly all presidential aspirants have visited the Obasanjo shrine. They have, however, not explained what they would do with his endorsement if it came, nor answered what it is still worth after many years of the old warhorse vacating office. Nobody, let alone an aspirant, makes the mistake of seeking Chief Obasanjo’s empowerment. He endorses, for whatever it is worth; but he does not empower.

    It is not controversial or futile to seek endorsement. What is controversial are the nature of the endorsements and their value. Endorsement by top leaders and politicians with name recognition often enlivens and gives fillip to campaigns. Presidential aspirants have, however, so far been unable to persuade the electorate that the shrines that have become their mecca are not monuments to dead or dying gods. It is hard to see the electoral value of Gen Babangida, more than 25 years after his exit from power. And barely 11 years after leaving office, the more controversial Chief Obasanjo has seemed to deplete politically even more rapidly than the Minna-based general. Indeed, after cautiously endorsing then candidate Buhari for the 2015 presidential poll, the Abeokuta-based former president has seemed to gradually and relentlessly mummify. He will of course still go on to endorse someone, after the debacle of endorsing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), for he is not aware that ‘anointing’ has left him, but he will shrewdly wait to see which way the cat jumps before placing his bets.

    Why the endorsements by Chief Obasanjo and Gen Babangida have become the objects of derision is not hard to explain. They are endorsements triggered by habit rather than by reason, products of habit rather than practicality. Elsewhere, endorsements are often actuated by ideological affinity or philosophical objectives. But not only are the rubrics of the two aforesaid shrines ambiguous and amorphous, their chief priests are also ideologically and philosophically vacuous. What is even more damning is that the aspirants have aligned themselves wholly to the ethnic and geopolitical dynamics of their ambitions rather than any set of coherent and systematic beliefs. It is a case of vacuum (aspirants) chasing vacuum (endorsers), a sort of Magdeburg hemispheres powerfully clenched shut, encasing nothing.

    But regardless of their lack of real power, both Chief Obasanjo and Gen Babangida may still pride themselves in their ability to attract political attention, particularly from presidential contenders. They will see themselves as infinitely better than other past heads of state and presidents who mummified decades ago, ex-leaders whom no one regards or pays more than a casual, reluctant visit. They exult that even the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, is unable to attract as much attention as they have consistently attracted over the years. They view the near reclusiveness of ex-president Shehu Shagari with alarm, and are petrified by both the mystifying anonimity in which interim head of state Ernest Shonekan dwells and the contrived ecclesiastical activity of ex-head of state Yakubu Gowon.

    Indeed, what really haunts both Chief Obasanjo and Gen Babangida is their fear of being ignored, after so many giddy years in office, many of those years truly epical and magical on the scale of experimentation, vainglory, and sheer improbity. They do not mind being skewered, their families added for full measure if they cannot help it; but they fear being ignored. They are not used to being ignored, and they will do everything in their power to shore up the value of the bilge water they dispense from their shrines, assured that the emptiness of their political customers cum aspirants make them the perfect dupes it has been the great and unending misfortune of Nigeria to produce.

  • Saraki mourns first military governor of Kwara State

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday expressed sadness over the death of the first Military Governor of Kwara State, Brigadier General David Bamigboye (rtd).

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the late Bamigboye as a torch-bearer who laid a solid foundation for the development of Kwara State.

    He stated that the late Bamigboye was an officer and gentleman who lived an impactful life and left his footprints on the sands of time.

    Saraki stated: “Brigadier General Femi David Bamigboye, led Kwara State through its formative years as the first military governor.  His great work and commitment to the development of our State cannot be over-emphasized. He was a true son of Kwara State.

    Read Also: Presidency tackles Saraki for disparaging Buhari

    “His passage represents a colossal loss to the Government and people of Kwara State in particular and Nigeria in general. I join all Kwarans, and indeed, all Nigerians in celebrating the life and accomplishments of the late General. He will be dearly missed,” he stated.

    The President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased and all Kwarans over the irreparable loss.

    He prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Presidency tackles Saraki for disparaging Buhari

    The Presidency yesterday lashed Senate President Bukola Saraki for disparaging President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Dr Saraki, who defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek the presidential ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described Buhari as lacking the vision and capacity to run the country.

    He spoke when he led his presidential campaign team to visit Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The Senate President urged the electorate to replace the APC leadership, which he accused of causing disunity in the country.

    But the Presidency fired back at Saraki, describing him as a dangerous and desperate politician who can do anything to achieve his inordinate ambition.

    It, however, pleaded with Buhari’s supporters to ignore what it called “Saraki’s crude speeches”.

    A statement by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said: “The Presidency wishes to react to the crude speeches hitting the news from Senator Bukola Saraki who recently joined the Peoples Democratic Party with the sole ambition of running for the president of Nigeria.

    “In response to the condemnable and extremely derogatory speeches by the PDP aspirant, we urge all Buhari supporters to display restraint in language and conduct and to always put across their points of view in a decent language.

    “Throughout his political career, Senator Saraki has shown that he is a very dangerous person who can go any length to promote his personal interests.

    “The language of his campaign is such that cannot be used against a domestic help. Is he just knowing that the President lacked vision? This is someone that the Senator had worked with very closely for more than three years. Amazingly, he never said all that he is now saying against him.

    “Rather, his word for and on the President were always respectful and reassuring. That’s the man he called ‘My Father’. About him, ‘there is no cause for alarm…a President who is healthy, witty and himself.’ What then changed, all of a sudden?

    “Is he saying these blatantly false and crude things against the President because he is gunning for the same office? Could it be that he is targeting President Buhari because the party he just joined does not have any real issues to highlight?

    “Be that as it may, our appeal to our supporters is to ignore Saraki and any such politicians bent on lowering the quality of political discourse. Let them drown in their own waters.”

    In his search for support, the Senate President claimed that the country needed a leader of his stature to unite the country and create a sense of belonging through fair distribution of appointments.

    He insisted that the country was in need of a young vibrant leader with the capacity to withstand the rigours of governance at all time.

    He said governance must be accompanied with the willingness and capacity to give 24 hours attention to the demands of the job.

    According to him, the Asian Tigers were respected to have developed their countries because of their painstaking commitment and patience in dealing with issues of governance.

    He urged PDP delegates to consider him for the presidential candidacy to make the requisite difference in the governance of the country.

    He said: “2019 is a very crucial election for this country; we are at the crossroads as we have never been so disunited as we are today.

    “Wherever you go, people ask questions: where do you belong? We need to address the issue of unity in this country; it is time for everybody to have a seat on the table, a time for everyone to have a sense of belonging in this country. It is not about me.

    “There is a new order in the world today, wherever we go, we see leaders that have vision, that are ready to develop their countries. A lot of us talked about the Asian Tigers, but they did not come by chance, or trial and error; they became tigers because they have visionary leaders.

    “They are leaders that are ready to defend their countries that have an idea of what they want to do.  As I keep on saying, you cannot give what you don’t have. Where we are now, we have a leadership that has no vision for us. We must bring visionary leadership to the presidential level so we can move this country forward.”

    Dickson said that the time had come for the country to move away from bigotry and leadership founded on sectional superiority.

    He called for a country where all could be trusted and appointed into sensitive positions irrespective of ethnicity and religion.