The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Environment, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Monday said he had shelved his ambition for the presidency in 2015 general elections.
Saraki, who is the former Governor of Kwara, said this in a statement he signed in llorin on Monday.
He said that the decision to step down his ambition was because “Nigeria’s political outlook for 2015 is very complicated.
” This is the time for every patriotic politician to situate his personal ambition in the context of the country’s overall interest”.
Saraki’s presidential bid has sparked widespread excitement across the country in the past few months, with various interest groups urging him to contest the election.
The groups expressed the belief that his political and administrative experiece would salvage the country from its current challenges.
“I have always maintained that I did not leave the ruling party to join the opposition because of any personal interest.
“Anyone who understands Nigeria’s politics would know that it takes courage and self-sacrifice to do that.”