By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Immediate past Senate President and erstwhile Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral act amendment bill, stressing that that will be the greatest legacy he could leave behind in laying the foundation for good governance in the country.
The former Senate President said this while answering questions from Journalists at the venue of a meeting of the National Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prof Stella Effah-Attoe with Zonal and State Women Leaders of the party in Abuja.
Saraki, who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, pointed out that good democracy and good governance can only be guaranteed by strong, and very good Electoral Act.
He expressed the hope that President Buhari will make use of the last few days left to do the right thing for the country and for future generations of Nigeria.
The former Governor of Kwara State said, “I am told that there is still a few more days. Let us give him (President Buhari) the few more days to see what happens.
“My appeal has consistently be that the strength of any good governance is its electoral process . “If we say we are for good democracy, good governance, you must have strong, very good Electoral Act. We are leaders, not only in the continent.
“Nigeria is a strong member of the global nations, and as such when we speak, we should also do the right thing at home.
“We need a good and strong electoral Act.
“My appeal to Mr. President, is that it is not about other people’s individual interests, but what is good for the country.
“No law can ever be perfect. I know it is not possible. From my own experience, this bill is good.
“He needs to sign and I think that will be the greatest legacy we have to lay the foundation for good governance.
“So I hope that the last few days left he will do the right thing for the country and for future generations of Nigeria, much younger ones.
Asked to comment on the agitation for a youth to succeed President Buhari in 2023, Saraki said, “I think both women and the youth have a great role to play, because at the end of the day governance is about providing for the people.
“So who are these people? 70% of them are under 25. They must play a role.
That role mean elective and appointment positions. They most Play a role.
“From my time as governor and at National Assembly, I’ve always worked with the youth. I heard a lot of politicians saying that today. We should check their records .
“The reality is that you can’t make laws or govern people and they are no part of it as a woman said here They must be part of the decision making.
“My view is that women and youth who constitutes more than 50 percent of voting population must play key roles in the government that come in 2023. That is what all of us collective Nigerians must do.
“It is only when we do that we will serve them better and if we want to do this they must be part of the system”, he said.
