Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has promised equal revenue from the non-oil sector with that of the oil sector if elected president in 2023.
Saraki said on Thursday at a media parley in Abuja that he is running for the president’s office to better the lives of Nigerians.
“As long as crude oil revenue remains the mainstay of our economy, and we remain so vulnerable to the volatility of international oil market, then the job is not done,” he said.
“And this is why I want to be President because I will raise the revenue from the non-oil sectors to the same level as we currently earn from oil.”
The former Kwara State governor mentioned his achievements as number one citizen in Kwara, recalling how his administration established a university and the International Aviation College “to create jobs and expand access to higher education.”
Saraki, who had earlier promised to appoint young persons below age 35 as ministers of state if he is elected president next year, also said he would build 500,000 housing units every year.
“As long as 65 million of our citizens still live in slum conditions in our cities and urban centers, then the job is not done. And this is why I want to be President, because I will deliver half a million affordable housing units every year to our low-income earners and eliminate urban slums,” Saraki said.
Born to the late Second Republic Senator Olusola Saraki, the 59-year-old noted that he never took his privileges for granted.
On security, Saraki assured, “I will ensure that all our men and women in uniform are well-trained, are well-paid and are well-equipped.”
