My presidency will be for the Igbo, says Bafarawa

Attahiru Bafarawa, a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has promised to give priority to the south-east if he wins in 2019.

Bafarawa, a former governor of Sokoto state, said his quest to become president is not a do or die affair, but a desire to unify Nigeria.

Speaking when he visited Enugu as part of his consultation to clinch the party’s presidential ticket, Bafarawa told NAN that he would handover to an Igbo presidential candidate at the end of his tenure.

The ex-governor said he would document all his programmes of actions so Nigerians can hold him accountable if he fails to deliver on his promises.

“I am disturbed with the way and manner the country is and my priority will be to bring unity in the country,” Bafarawa said.

“I have a written manifesto and will not promise what I cannot do. My word is my bond. If I win, I will go with the Igbo from the first day. There is no question of what I will do for the south-east because it will be their government.

“It is rather sad that these cherished values have often been jettisoned on the altar of sentiments and selfish motives.

“As a long term player in local and international economic and political relations, I have garnered enough experiences and exposure to provide the requisite leadership for Nigeria.”

He said that his administration would implement policies that would strengthen the drive to achieve true federalism in the country.

“Since inception, the country has organised several forums to discuss Nigeria as a country and the relationships of the federating units,” he said.

“Although very robust and patriotic discourses were held and recommendations made, none of the reports or recommendations of the various conferences have been implemented.

“My administration will dust all the findings and reports of all the national conferences with a view to extrapolating those aspects that are consistent with our aspirations.”