The Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Atiku Abubakar has expressed intention to the complete the Ajaokuta Steel Mill in Kogi State, Central Nigeria, if given the mandate to serve in next month’s presidential election.
Atiku stated this while addressing supporters at the confluence stadium venue of the PDP presidential campaign in Lokoja, the state capital.
“I also want to say that your inland port is not only a Kogi issue, but issue of Northern Nigeria, because through the development of the port in Kogi, we also will have access to the maritime transportation in this country,” he said.
The former Vice President of Nigeria told his supporters that if the PDP wins in Kogi state, workers salaries would be paid on time.
“From what I have seen from Obajana up to Lokoja, Kogi needs more thousands of young men and women to be employed. If we don’t give you jobs, we will give you business to do. I promise to set aside ten billion US dollars to empower our young men and women so that they can live comfortable lives.”
Atiku Abubakar said as president he would ensure uninterrupted educational calendar and appealed to them to vote for PDP to resolve those issues.
“We are not here to deceive you. We are men and women of integrity, if you want your next state government to benefit you, vote PDP in the presidential election,” he explained.
Chairman of the PDP Presidential campaign council Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, southern Nigeria said Kogi state needed a man with business acumen like Atiku Abubaka to turn the mineral-rich state into a profitable business state.
“A businessman like Atiku will give you policies that will encourage people all over the world to come and exploit, extract and bring wealth to Kogi state,” he said.
He said if elected, Atiku would link Kogi state with other parts of Nigeria by concentrating on major road networks and that with infrastructure, development in Kogi state would become easier.
According to the Director General of the PDP Presidential Canpaign Council, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, NorthWest Nigeria, Kogi State is unique, as it is the gate way to the South West from Northern Nigeria.
”Kogi is also the gateway to the South East and South South. Kogi is also the confluence of both river Niger and river Benue.”
c“It is in Kogi that we have the biggest and largest of the steel company in Nigeria, the Ajaokuta Steel complex. It is in Kogi that we also have the Obajana, Dangote’s main plant. Kogi is unique in its mineral deposits. You have all it takes, you have the minerals, you have the people, you have the land, you have the water.”
Tambuwal said in terms of leadership, Abubakar is the most preferred and the most prepared for the people of Kogi, as he is the most business friendly.
“He will come and complete not only the Ajaokuta in its true sense, but ensure that many factories and industries come up in Kogi, by providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, for jobs to be created, for employment to be created and for the economy of Kogi state to be rejuvenated,” he said.
Tambuwal explained that it was only Atiku that could pilot the affairs of Nigeria, come May 2023.
The National chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu is asking the people of Kogi state to give him and Nigeria the best president.
“PDP will be back to improve everything that we started. Not many people know that we have spent trillions in Ajaokuta in the importation of iron and steel products yet we have the capacity to export all these to the world. When PDP takes over you will see exactly of what we are capable of doing.
“I want everyone of you to get his PVC, because without your PVC this journey will not be possible. Vote for all our candidates when the time comes and we are going to take back government house Lokoja.”he stated.
Ayu presented Atiku to the crowd as an experienced leader with capacity to turn the country around for the good of all.
A senatorial candidate for Kogi central under the PDP, Natasha Akpoti speaking on behalf of the women, men, and youth of Kogi state asked Atiku Abubakar to complete the Ajaokuta steel mill to boost employment opportunities for the teaming young women and men of the state.
He further promised that the people of Kogi state would cast their votes for the PDP in the February and March 2023 general election.
Lateefah Ibrahim
