From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin
The immediate past Governor of Kwara state and Chairman, Senate committee on environment and ecology,Dr Bukola Saraki has disowned campaign posters pasted in Abuja and Katsina state announcing his interest in the 2015 presidential election.
Saraki also denied a news report about the campaign posters pasted by an online publication titled “ 2015: Bukola Saraki Presidential Campaign Posters Flood Abuja, Katsina”.
The former governor of Kwara state made the clarification in a statement signed by his media aide, Bamikole Omishore, and made available to Journalists in Ilorin.
According to him, “Senator Saraki wishes to categorically state that the said story is totally false and the alleged posters across the cities mentioned are the handiwork of some mischief makers who have nothing to do but attack the person and reputation of Senator Saraki.
“We further wish to state that Senator Saraki does not know anything about any campaign posters and he hasn’t contracted, commissioned or directed anyone, group of people or a corporate body to design, print and paste any poster conveying his picture or any other poster in any manner in any part of the country for whatever purpose.
“As we are all aware of the present political situation in Nigeria, we are equally not surprised that these enemies of our nation have chosen this solemn time again to distract the country and some of us who have corrected others that this is not the time for politicking but for serious governance to address the major issues before us as a Nation
“It is obvious that this is another strategy of their cheap blackmail and an attempt to drag some of us who have been very critical of their biddings into their kind of nefarious activities. In this regard therefore, it is illogical to reason that it is Senator Saraki that will now be the one attempting to be insensitive to the enormous challenges facing the nation in the name of politics. This dummy they are sending to the public will not sell.
“Senator Saraki wishes to reassure the general public, especially his associates, friends and well wishers that this is not emanating from him. As a politician of repute and as someone who had contested for this exalted position before and one who knows the seriousness such office deserves, printing of posters will definitely not be the starting point of such campaign if at all the need arises.
“The general public is hereby warned to disregard and discard this unholy attempt to dent the image of Senator Saraki as neither does this unwarranted act emanate from him nor has he consented to same as he hereby totally disassociated himself in its entirety from it and or any one close to him.
“This is not the time for politicking on the sensitivity of millions of Nigerians who have in their collective wisdom, elected us as leaders to be the managers and custodian of their welfare and interest. It is our strong believe that those working on this barbaric mission do not have the interest of Nigeria at heart but rather to instil their own personal and selfish interest and agenda on the Nigeria polity. This is unacceptable.
“This cheap blackmail is just another attempt to discredit our position on a number of national issues which Senator Saraki have been critical about. Senator Saraki wishes to restate his commitment to the course he believes in which is to ensuring good governance, transparency, equity, fairness, justice and protection of lives and property of Nigerians. Senator Saraki will not allow himself to be distracted or intimidated even in the face of oppression and harassment.
“Senator Saraki will not be discouraged as he will continue to speak out on issues he sees going wrong and against the welfare and the good interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
