Emulate late Saraki’s politics of development, Buhari advises politicians
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged politicians to emulate the politics of development and other virtues of late Dr Olushola Saraki, father of immediat past Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.
Buhari gave the advice at the 10th Memorial Anniversary of the late Saraki in Abuja on Monday.
Buhari represented by the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum described late Saraki as one of the leaders that defined the political development in the country.
“Sen. Saraki was a Nigerian statesman who participated in the evolution of Nigeria’s political development.
“He is one of the politicians that earned the respect of many Nigerians. We appreciate his contributions to our polity.
“I want to use this opportunity to ask my fellow politicians to take away lesson from the lecture that he has been delivered with a view to moving Nigeria forward” Buhari sai
Also in his remarks, the President of Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar urged charged Nigerians politicians to uphold truth and transparency in all their dealings.
The Sultan of Sokoto also urged political class to eschew all forms of violence at they go about canvassing for votes.
Abubakar said that electoral campaigns should be a battle of ideas and not violence.
He said that where you have good leaders, you will have good followership, if you have bad followership, you will have bad leadership.
“For leaders, we want to urge you to always uphold the truth, be honest, be transparent and be accountable because Almighty Allah will ask you.
“Campaign honestly, campaign like gentleman and convince people to vote for you and when you do get the votes, discharge your responsibility to the best of your knowledge” Abubakar said.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen after the event on what leaders needed to emulate from his late father, Sen. Bukola Saraki urged politicians to make sacrifice that would make Nigeria a better place.
Saraki also urged followers to also show interest and commitment in seeking qualities required to make Nigeria great country, saying Nigeria is a country that we can do much better now.
“The kind of life my father lived is about the people. It is about sacrifices. You can see here people from the APC, from the PDP and other parties are all here.
“This should send you a very strong message and everybody leaving here to have a thinking that we must be determined to do the right thing.
“As leaders, if elected we must serve our people. As followers, come February, March 2023, we have to vote for true leaders, not what we get on the day of election because at the end of the day that will not make the country better.
“So I hope we all pray that February or March next year will be an opportunity to rethink the direction of this country by electing the right leaders,” Saraki said
The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Gbemisola Saraki, said her late father believed in the health and wellbeing of Nigerians and the development the country.
She expressed hope that everyone would have such thinking about Nigerians ans Nigeria.
At the event were Governors of Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Gov. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Gov. Diri Duoye (Bayelsa), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).
Others includes Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero who is also the Royal father of the day, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamilla Speaker House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila and many other dignitaries.