The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians they won’t regret voting him as their president in the 2023 general elections, just as he vowed to eliminate banditry. 

Aswiaju Tinubu said this while addressing a mammoth crowd during the flag-off of the APC presidential campaign rally in the North-west Tuesday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna.

Tinubu also promised to improve agriculture by setting up marketing board to regulate prices of agriculture produce and to create job opportunities for the teeming youth across the country.

He praised Kaduna state Governor Nasir  el-Rufai whom he described as a dependable ally, for the good job done in the state.

Tinubu said: “With his combination of intellect and determination, he has put in motion policies and programmes that are truly reforming the state and invigorating its economy. His track record speaks for him. I commend his work and am glad that he has lent his support to the task that stands before us.”

“We thank you for remaining loyal and faithful to our party, you will never regret it. In shaa Allah, all those trouble makers, all those kidnappers, killers who are troubling the security of Kaduna and Northern Nigeria, I assure you, we will eliminate them.

“El-Rufai has done a good job, go around Kaduna, you will see how organised, how clean it is. And he has boosted the internally generated revenue. But a leader without a good successor is not a good leader. He has given us a young, energetic and honest boy, Uba Sani, to become the next Governor of Kaduna state.

“What anyone who visits the Centre of Learning quickly learns is that you are a resilient and industrious citizenry. You have the skills and talent to prosper as individuals, as a state and as a nation with a destiny no one can take away from you. You exemplify the best of our diverse and beloved nation,” he added.

To the crowd of party supporters at the rally, he said: “You should vote all candidates of our dear party from president to governor, to senator, to house of reps, to house of assembly, to chairman and even councillor. May God bless you and your children. You will never regret today. Every one of you should go home with determination, check your PVC, do not let them deny you your PVC. If you have not collected your PVC, please, in the name of Almighty Allah that gives power, go and collect your PVC.

“Today, the sun is brighter, the sky is clear, we don’t want to talk too much, we want you to go back home in peace, happiness and joy. Our hope is here, we will do everything to make you the young ones properly employed. We will create jobs. We will establish the marketing board that will give you the right prices, that will give you comfort in your homes and make you a better people. May Allah bless you all, thank you very much Kaduna,” Tinubu added.

The former Lagos state governor said he had the track record of bringing alive the hopes of the citizenry with “people-oriented governance.

“With your support, my team and I will improve the economy, secure the peace, promote industry, grow more food and create more and better jobs for the average person.

“Given the opportunity, we shall reform the power sector such that light is brought into every home and productive work afforded every pair of willing hands.

“My administration will improve the education system for all our children including those who seem to have been rejected and forgotten and renew hope nationwide.

“Those who till the soil and grow our food will be helped to produce more and earn more. You farmers who feed this nation, your dignity and pride will be restored,” Tinubu said.

Industrialisation plan

Speaking on his administration’s plans to massively industrialise the nation, he said: “Our industrial policy will make industries hum again. Meanwhile, we shall give the youth the training, access and policy support to explore new economic frontiers in the digital economy and other uses of technology to create new goods and services that benefit the entire population.

“Our infrastructural policy will promote nationwide road and rail transport, enabling small businesses to easily transport their goods across state-lines and engage in productive trade throughout the land. Federal roads, especially the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Road, will be turned into productive and safe highways for travel and commerce.”

Adamu, Lalong

Also speaking, APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu expressed the party’s appreciation to the people for turning out en-mass to receive Tinubu.

“We are overwhelmed by this flood of human beings, who have come out to receive our presidential candidate. We thanked you because you have spoken for us with this large turnout that we have seen. I am not surprised though, because when we talk about North, we must talk about Kaduna. Kaduna is the navel of the North. Our hope is that on the election day, you should come out en-mass and vote for APC and vote for our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Adamu said.

In his remarks, Director General APC Presidential Campaign Council and Plateau state Governor Simon Bako Lalong explained how the presidential candidate dared the bandits by traveling to Birnin Gwari at night, saying the gesture was a sign that Nigeria would be safe under Tinubu.

Some of the dignitaries in attendance at the rally were Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, Governors el-Rufai, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa state, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state and Bello Mattawalle of Zamfara state.

Also in attendance were Kaduna state APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Uba Sani, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah and other federal lawmakers.

Atiku on Plateau crisis 

In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to restore peace to Plateau state if elected in next year’s election.

Atiku said this Tuesday at the presidential rally held at the Jos Wrang Pam Township Stadium.

He said his administration would also see to the reconstruction of federal roads linking Plateau and other neighbouring states.

“Despite the strategic position of Plateau state in the country, roads linking it with other parts of the country have become death traps and unmotorable.

“We will construct all roads linking Plateau and other neighbouring states, because the APC has failed to construct them,” he promised.

On his plan to nip the recurrent Plateau crisis in the bud, the former vice president said:  “We promise you that we will restore peace to Plateau if you voted the PDP.”

He said Plateau is renowned for its nice weather and ambience, a potential that could generate millions of dollars to benefit the people and the state economy, if showcased. 

“Our government, working hand-in-hand with the state government, would work to improve tourism nationwide to enhance internally generated revenue and improve the lot of the people,” he said.

While promising not to marginalise the people of Plateau state, eh assured his administration would give them appointments into key positions.

He further said they would explore the potential of Kura falls to enhance electricity generation.(Blueprint)