By Banji Ayoola
All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has pledged to renew the hope of Nigerians through empowering them and putting money in their pockets if elected in the February 25 Presidential Election.
He gave the pledge on Saturday in Akure, the Ondo State capital at a campaign rally where he also promised to develop Nigeria as a whole, the Ondo Deep Sea Port and an uninterrupted power supply.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of his party’s supporters at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Tinubu, flanked by Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; his Lagos, Ogun and Kano States counterparts, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje; his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa; his wife, Betty; ex-Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; ex-Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola; Minster of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye; Ondo Assembly Speaker, Mr Bamidele Oleyeloogun; APC Deputy National Chairman South West, Mr Isaacs Kekemeke; National Secretary, Otunba Iyiola Omisore; and Ondo State Chairman, Engineer Ade Adetimehin among others, said that if elected, his government will develop Ondo Deep Sea Port and develop hydroelectricity.
He said he will give the people uninterrupted energy and not estimated billings, adding that the people will enjoy good governance.
His words:”We will tame the surge of Atlantic like we tamed the surge in Lagos. For good and proper things to happen in this country, we will definitely look at all the abandoned projects and failed promises of the past and rehabilitate them, give you the opportunity to become a manufacturing centre and economic centre in Ondo state.
“We will definitely develop Ondo Deep Sea Port. We will develop hydroelectricity and give you uninterrupted energy and not estimated billings, stealing your money. We will do more . Don’t create conflict, don’t create enmity, we are a people of peace, progress and prosperity.
“The message we bring here today is that of a renewed hope, a renewed assurance that education will receive priority in our government. No children of the poor will be left behind.
“If you don’t have the money we will establish student credit loan so that you can go to school. You will be educated, you will be experts to be what you dream and desire to be. Your future will not be bleak. You are given this assurance by me, you trust me, you trust what I did in Lagos.”
Tinubu assured Nigerians of renewed hope, promising to change the narratives of the people of the country for good.
According to him: “We will do more to develop Ondo state and Nigeria as a whole. We are a people of peace and prosperity. Our educational sector will receive priority in our government. No children of the poor will be left behind. If you don’t have the money, we will establish student credit loan so that you can go to school. You will be educated, you will be experts.”
He said: “Ondo is known as a progressive state, followed by other states like Ogun, Oyo and I appreciate our progressives governors. This incoming election is our own, is the vote of inheritance. It is vote of three in one. Don’t lose your PVCs, your PVC is your right.
“Our rally today is a signal of our renewed hope for Nigeria, that February 25, you will go and make a wise decision, you will vote massively for me, I am too sure and very sure that you will vote for APC and that is why I am very happy.
“I will win this election. Atiku cannot do it. He doesn’t want to build a better nation, instead he will rather sell your birthright to the highest builders. Atiku policies and action are nothing.
“Obi has a chance to show up a progressive when he was a governor of Anambra state, all he could do was to boast that he saved money when he was the Governor of Anambra State.
“Obi has nothing to be proud of; instead he made people of Anambra cry and he claimed to be labour party leader.
“My people, you cannot entrust your future or that of our nation to Atiku and Obi. What has Atiku brought to Nigeria?.
“Myself and my running mate, Shettima are ready to renew hope through empowerment for all of you, if you give me your mandate as you promised. I will work so hard, put money in your pockets.
“I love what Akeredolu has done. I respect Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. He has improved the infrastructure status of Ondo State. He has restored Ondo State glory in the plantation. Cocoa plantation will fetch fortunes. He has put Bitumen on the front burner. He is charting the path of industrialization of Ondo State. He is making Ondo State a definite tourist destination.”
“We will do more to develop Ondo state and Nigeria as a whole. We are a people of peace and prosperity. Our educational sector will receive priority in our government. No children of the poor will be left behind. If you don’t have the money, we will establish student credit loan so that you can go to school. You will be educated, you will be experts.”
The host Governor Akeredolu charged the residents in the state to vote massively for Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima and other contestants on the platform of the party.
Tinubu, who was full of gratitude to people of the state for the rousing welcome and warm reception given him, described the people of the state as dependable and sincere.
He appreciated Akeredolu for always standing up for justice and fairness, stressing that Ondo State is the home of the progressive, adding that the coming election is for the betterment of the people and the country in general.
Tinubu, who expressed confidence that he will win the election, also urged the people not vote for those who will sell their future or make their children go to bed hungry.
He said he was determined to create safer, more prosperous and dynamic society.
According to him, the progressive governance can only be brought to the people by someone who had once governed in a progressive manner.
In his speech, Akeredolu, who assured Tinubu that Ondo State is a progressive state, said the APC will emerge victorious in the coming elections.
He appreciated all the party leaders and governors, especially Ganduje for gracing the rally.
Also, the National Secretary of the party and former deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said Nigerians will vote APC in the coming elections, promising that APC will change the narratives and bring hope to the hopeless.
Earlier, the State Chairman of APC, Ade Adetimehin, said Ondo State people are already “BATified”, saying APC stands strong in the State.
“We are united under the able leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Ondo State will beat Lagos State in terms of numbers of votes. APC will deliver Ondo State for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. All our candidates for Senate, Reps and House of Assembly will win in the coming polls”, Adetimehin added.
At the rally, APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, called on the state’s electorate to give their votes to Tinubu and all candidates of the party contesting for various political posts in the 2023 general elections .
Adamu, who was represented by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said the party has achieved a lot in health and power sectors among other sectors which could be witnessed in Lagos and Ondo states
This, he said would be replicated at the Federal level when Tinubu is elected as the next president come February 25 to change the narrative of the nation.
Tinubu later inaugurated the Southwest Campaign office of the party, located beside the Akure South Local Government Secretariat, Ilesa road, Akure, the state capital.
Commissioning the campaign office immediately after the APC Presidential Campaign Rally at the M.K.O Abiola Democracy Park, Asiwaju Tinubu said Governor Akeredolu has demonstrated serious commitment to progressive politics.
His words:”This is a serious demonstration of commitment to progressive politics, to democratic principle that we adopted as the hallmark of our own political philosophy.
“Together, we have worked to build democracy and it has not been easy even though it is the best form of government but it is very difficult to navigate.
“You have demonstrated with this building that you are truly committed to the developmental program of our time and of Ondo State. You have demonstrated in many areas of infrastructural development, in setting this State on the path of prosperity, manufacturing and youth development.”
Akeredolu later conducted the Presidential candidate round the campaign office.
Mammoth crowd had thronged major streets in the town and stormed the Akure Airport to received Tinubu. The huge crowd followed the long motorcade conveying the Presidential candidate to the venue of the rally.
They filled the expansive M.K.O Abiola Democracy Park, venue of the event, to the brim. Akeredolu received Tinubu and his entourage at the Airport, in the company of Sanwo-Olu; Abiodun; Aiyedatiwa and his Ekiti State counterpart, Mrs Christiana Afuye; Adegoroye; Oyetola; Omisore; other members of the National Working Committee, members of the Ondo State Executive council, leaders and members of the party.
The jet conveying Tinubu and his entourage touched down at exactly 12:50 pm at the Akure Airport.
