Source: Peoples Daily
By Musa Simon Reef
Monday, August 30, 2010

Barring any last minute change, Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara state will soon declare his intention to vie for the Office of President in the 2011 general elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a top aide confided in Peoples Daily at the weekend.

The resolve by the Kwara state helmsman to join the presidential race, the source said, is coming on the heels of encouraging signals the governor has received from high level consultations with some eminent Nigerians as well as his colleagues at the Nigeria Governors' Forum, (NGF), especially from the PDP governors.

“Governor Saraki has gone far in his consultation with his colleagues in a bid to actualise his presidential dream. As the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, he has used his position to reach out to his colleagues for their support for his ambition.

“Apart from one or two governors who are not favourably disposed to Saraki’s presidential contest, majority support him,” the source said, adding that the Kwara governor is putting finishing plans for his formal declaration for the nation’s topmost job.

Another top aide of the governor, who said he was not permitted to speak to the press, also confirmed to Peoples Daily that Bukola Saraki is billed to join the presidential race.

Concerted efforts by our reporter to get official reaction from officials of the Kwara state Government proved futile. State government officials, who are permitted to speak to the press, were said to have accompanied the governor to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj.

Governor Saraki is billed to be back in to the country by the end of this week.

The Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Billy Adedamola, who is, however, in the country, did not respond to persistent calls made to his mobile line yesterday. A text message requesting for his comments on the matter was also not replied.

At about press time, Adedamola, apparently disturbed by the persistent telephone calls, switched off his cell phone.

Is this guy kidding?

I don't think he is kidding at all. As the 2011 elections approach, he is about the only possible candidate within PDP who represents a genuine break from the old generation of politicians who have failed this country so miserably, and have failed to groom successors to taje their place.

I don't think he is kidding at all. As the 2011 elections approach, he is about the only possible candidate within PDP who represents a genuine break from the old generation of politicians who have failed this country so miserably. The younger generation of Nigerians are not incapable of leadership and they should be represented in the upcoming elections across the board - whether in PDP, ACN, Labour Party or any other party in the country.

The guy has had it good in d last 8 yrs. Maybe he feels his father has the power beyond the yoruba-malam state.