A former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Saturday called on political appointees seeking to contest offices in 2023 to resign their ministerial appointments before pursuing their ambitions.
He also faulted the request by the President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for the National Assembly to remove section 84(12) from the Electoral Act. The section bars political appointees from voting or being voted for at party congresses and conventions.
Saraki, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, spoke with our correspondent in Abuja shortly after a meeting with the National Youth Leader of the PDP and the Zonal and State Youth Leaders at the party’s National Secretariat.
Saraki said there was no need for any appointee to remain in office while contesting an office.
He said, “Why should someone in a political office use the influence of political office to contest? We talked about participation of youths; what chance does the young Nigerian have to contest against somebody who is sitting in public office; having access to power by influence; having access to the funds of government?
“If you want to contest, for heaven’s sake, go out, resign and go and contest? Why would you stay in political office? It’s even wrong for us to be debating it. It is so selfish.”
Saraki noted that the new piece of legislation would further empower Nigerians to seek and elect the right leaders.
In his address, the PDP Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, challenged the youth leaders to leverage digital technology in the forthcoming elections and make sure young people vote.
Ayu, represented by the PDP Deputy National Chairman, Umar Damagum, said, “The only way we can send our children back to school is when we are able to mobilise and vote this ineffective APC government out of office. You have a duty. I’m glad to be here to remind you.
