Former Governor of Kwara State and serving Senator representing Kwara Central, Bukola Saraki, on Sunday said his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress was to free residents of the state from alleged negligence of Kwara State by the PDP-led Federal Government.
Saraki accused the Federal Government of not being sensitive and responsive to the plights of the residents of the state.
He spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, after he was received by APC supporters in the state.
He said the Federal Government had neglected the state in the area of infrastructural development and other investments.
Saraki said he had expected President Goodluck Jonathan, who, in company with other PDP leaders, recently visited the state to announce his programmes, would impact positively on the lives of the people.
He claimed that his administration and that of his successor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, had made giant stride in the education and health sectors, road construction, human capital development and other sectors as well as other forms of infrastructural provision.
Saraki said, “I think the message from the (Jonathan) rally was freedom. You would have thought that the Presidency and the entire Federal Government were coming here for something, whether hospitals, roads or institution.
“I remember when I was the governor of this state; we spent up to N46bn on Baruteen Road. It is not state road, but federal road. We decided to do it because it affected our people. Kaiama Road that Kwara State government is embarking upon now is a Federal Government road. Up till now, their own has been promises.
“So, we are the ones that are freeing ourselves from them. I keep on telling Nigerians and people of this state that this struggle is not personal. If it is about an individual satisfaction, I will still remain in the ruling party today.
“But I can’t continue to see this kind of thing to continue like that. We campaigned for that party and did so many things for the party and we can’t say that we benefited anything from that party.
“So, I will not allow this to continue because of my personal prospect and satisfaction. If my people are not benefiting, why should I stay?
“The last time we benefited from Federal government was when late President Musa Yar’Ardua was the President. We have power project to show for it. I was expecting from the rally what the Kwarans will benefit from Federal Government.”
Below are some low quality pictures and a video of Saraki being welcomed to Ilorin, Kwara state by his supporters:
