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Bukola Saraki, the Kwara State governor, yesterday
returned his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) just as he declared that he has the capacity to
lead the country if elected as president, next year.

Mr Saraki, who was accompanied by supporters to the
party’s national secretariat, told journalists that the time had come
for Nigerians of his generation to step forward to save our country,
adding that he would repeat the feat he achieved in Kwara State at the
federal level.

“I came here to submit my expression of interest and
nomination forms, to contest the presidential election on the platform
of the PDP,” he said. “Indeed it is an historic moment and I believe
that it has come to a moment where in Nigeria’s history, we are about
to create a generational change. After 50 years of Independence, we are
about to start another 50 years.

“We believe that some of us, with our capacity,
energy, ability, resourcefulness and knowledge, that we can transform
Nigeria, make it more effective, do some of the things we were able to
do in our states, address the things that matter to our people such as
food productivity, jobs. So, what I am saying is that we have to get it
done. And it is time for our generation to step up and move Nigeria
forward and I believe I have what it takes to do that and I have
started the journey.”

His chances

Asked about his chances in the race in which the
current president, Goodluck Jonathan; former military president,
Ibrahim Babangida and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar are
participating, Mr Saraki said it is about what each of them can offer
Nigerians.

The chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF)
said he has transformed Kwara State in the last seven years he has been
governor, adding that he would do the same for Nigeria.

“My chances are very bright because Nigeria will
decide who has the best policies,” he said. “This is about what each of
us can deliver to Nigerians. I have done things that had been
impossible, transformed my state and made the Kwara people proud and I
believe I will do the same for Nigeria. The issue of governance is how
to deliver leadership and I believe I have the capacity to deliver.”

Apart from Mr Saraki, others who were at the PDP
national secretariat to either pick or return the Expression of
Interest forms include: the Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola;
his counterpart in Sokoto, Magatakadar Wamakko; Iyiola Omisore, a
senator; Sylvanus Ngele and Sarah Jubril; some members of the House of
Representatives: Lanre Agoro, Henry Dickson and Ishaq Kamaldeen Adeyemi.

Mr Oyinlola, we learnt, wants to run for the Senate, while Mr Omisore is angling to succeed the governor.