As we reflect upon the passing of the old year and prepare for the new, we reflect on the innumerable challenges our dear country Nigeria has faced, and the sadness of lives needlessly lost as a result of tragic incidents, religious, ethnic or political unrest. We mourn with those who too mourn the passing of a dear brother, mother, sister, father, friend or neighbor who has paid the supreme sacrifice for our existence as one nation, tolerating and accepting one another despite our differences. I salute the Nigerian military and other security forces, who despite facing daunting odds have worked tirelessly to preserve our nation and the region's security. I salute all patriotic Nigerians who have not lost hope and who are still inspired to continue in the sacrifice to keep us democratic and indivisible.

In retrospect, the year 2013 was a defining period in the life of our Nation. From the religious, ethnic and political uprisings that have led to wanton loss of lives and properties, kidnapping and extra judicial killings to the degrading oil spillages and oil theft across the Niger-Delta region particularly the Ogoniland, the shutdown of tertiary institutions by Academic Staff Union of Universities which paralyzed academic activities and it's resultant effect academically and socially on our children. All these tragic incidents have threatened to challenge our peaceful co-existence, security of lives and property.

However despite these challenges, in many ways, 2013 reminded us once again of the unique potential our country has for global greatness. Leading global economist Jim O'Neil has identified Nigeria's potential, as part of the MINT group, the next fastest growing economies globally; however he identifies a substantial weakness in our current leadership. Indeed, every Nigerian is acutely aware of the potential of our nation, but we all remain incredibly frustrated by our day to day experiences of life in Nigeria, from the lack of security to a lack of electricity; from the lack of the rule of law to corruption at the highest levels.

More than ever before, the majority of our people believe that our government and its systems do not work to improve citizens' lives but rather have become a cog in the wheel of change. In fact, there is a growing perception that government neither promotes fairness nor a culture of merit. This frustration has led many to lose hope.

However I believe that all this too can be a thing of the past and a point of reference of how we as a nation can turn our adversity to strength.

But today, more than ever before, I bring you a message of hope and by the grace of Allah, I believe that it will lead us to a brighter tomorrow.

Today, the consequences of the retrogressive and repressive policies of this PDP government by commission or omission has inadvertently, created a broader space for the emergence of an effective opposition, a key ingredient of a vibrant democracy.

A pointer to this is the conditions that have lead to the near tsunami-like exodus from PDP to APC.

I have always believed that our democracy must be built on a party politics of inclusiveness, politics that is embraced by all Nigerians- not some Nigerians. For some of us, it is non-negotiable that our politics must be one based on the rule of law, morality, the principles of public trust and fairness, and most importantly delivering policies that transform the lives of the people we serve.

For most of us, it was no longer viable to expect the barest minimum for the people of Nigeria under the PDP. It became inexplicable to promote democracy within a party where these principle and issues must be entrenched, hence, the resolve of the tectonic shift in our political base.

This is the premise on which some of us in 2013 left PDP and has since joined APC. This decision though hard was made inevitable by what we saw as the irreconcilable division in the PDP; a party that lacked any semblance of internal democracy; a party that acted with gross impunity; a party that did not deliver for the people and the country, and a party that threatened to return our country to authoritarianism. Our decision to leave was one borne out of the desire to say no to military democracy and say yes to representative democracy.

As a result, I believe the dream of an effective opposition has now been born and the hope of a new dawn to a better, fairer and more prosperous Nigeria where the wealth of our nation is shared equitably with and for all has now the potential to become a reality.

My hope is that we will now have a vibrant opposition party capable of keeping the party in government to account on behalf of the people of Nigeria. This I believe is the yearning of every well meaning Nigerian and I join every Nigerian, in the belief that Nigeria will be better in 2014 and beyond.

But I am also convinced that change will only happen if we collectively say no to leadership by selection, leadership by ethnic divide, authority by clannish identity and religious divide. This is what we stand for. This must be the foundation on which a strong vibrant and fair democratic Nigeria can be realized.

In 2013 we witnessed incidences that collectively shaken us. Incidences that were designed to change our way of life and deny us our well won liberty and freedom. But from the ashes of the despair posed by these events especially the recent religious, ethnic and political uprisings which we will emerge in 2014 more resilient and determined that this country will never die.

Let's all come together and work harder to reinvent our Nigeria and make it great again. Let's re-dedicate ourselves to the work that lies ahead of us. Let's in our areas of influence continue to play our part to move our country in the right direction even in the face of political intimidation and harassment.

I especially call on you to join hands with us at the senate and the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology in particular to push for a better Nigerian environment and economy in 2014. Remarkable achievement has been made by introducing some important bills on the floor of the National Assembly; chiefly among them is the NOSDRA AMENDMENT BILL now in its 3rd reading on the floor of the Senate and ultimately, in previous year the motion on the fuel subsidy scam that exposed the shady dealings in the downstream sector, which was one of the driving forces of the Federal Governments transformation in 2013.

Today, by virtue of that singular act there has been a reduction in public spending on oil subsidy payments from N2.2 trillion in 2011 to N971 billion last year, saving country an additional N1.2 trillion that can be injected into the economy to provide basic infrastructure and other amenities.

In 2013, the #SaveBagega Campaign is arguably one of the biggest social media advocacies i have witnessed in recent times. People from different ethnic and political affiliation came together in unison to prevail on government to secure fund for the remediation exercise in Bagega Zamfara State where 1500 Children neglected two years ago were screened and admitted into the lead poisoning programme. This initiative has brought many other spirited campaigns to limelight in order to ease the sufferings of the masses.

All we need as people is to focus on the things that bind us together in unity I urge those fanning the embers of disunity and rancor within the country at the detriment of a larger majority for their selfish reasons to desist from such act.

As we prepare to celebrate our 100-year centenary anniversary of Nigeria's existence as a nation I have no doubt, the year 2014 will undoubtedly bring in new promises and challenges, however I am confident that our tolerance, strength, and good spirit will give us the necessary momentum to triumph and achieve greater successes for our country and our people.

I look forward to a rewarding 2014 and beyond for all Nigerians at home and in the Disapora.

On behalf of my family, I and the good people of Kwara Central, I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki