The Presidential Candidate of Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Mr. Bola Tinubu has called on his rival in the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Atiku Abubakar to endorse him.
Mr. Tinubu stated this in Kaduna state at a meeting he had with leaders of several Northern groups.
According to the APC Flagbearer, he supported the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar when he contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in 2007.
While stating that it was “payback time”, Mr. Tinubu urged Atiku to reciprocate the gesture by endorsing his (Tinubu) candidature.
“Atiku started from Uyo and now ended up in Kaduna and you are speaking to the North that you are the right candidate for the North; how do we reconcile that? You have lost the election.
“It is payback time. Let Atiku endorse me instead of organizing a rally in Kaduna, while I am addressing eminent personalities in Kaduna. I supported him in 2007.”
The APC Presidential Candidate who also unveiled his manifesto to the Northern leaders promised to make the North hub of Agric business in Sub-Shara Africa.
He further committed to promoting “an indivisible and prosperous Nigeria” and returning ‘out-of-school’ children, to school.
“It is, therefore, no coincidence that at independence, this vision was laid out and encapsulated in our first National Anthem. It says: ‘Though tribes and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’
“This is a strong statement that acknowledges our diversity, and, therefore, the existence of different perspectives and interests, and how that should not stand on the path of our unity as brothers.
“The framers of this anthem, God rest their souls, will cringe to know that 62 years after, someone would come to this hallowed platform to campaign based on tribe or where others come from.
“The dream of those forefathers, ladies and gentlemen, was for a nation ‘where no man is oppressed, a nation ‘with peace and, these – unity in diversity, peace and prosperity – are the fulcrum of my mission in this contest. They also form the bulk of my address to you this afternoon, in line with the areas the organisers wanted me to address” Tinubu said.
The APC Presidential Candidate promised to consolidate the achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in all sectors.
He said his administration, would implement workable policies that will nip insecurity in the bud in the North and across the country.
Speaking on the Economy, Mr. Tinubu explained that his administration will harness the vast natural resources in Nigeria and focus on investment and effective management.
“Our economic plan would utilize the vast natural resources we have, through strategic investment in infrastructure, which will lead to the diversification of the economy and wealth creation across the entire country. We will pay attention to modern economic drivers such as the digital economy, creative industries, and sports and entertainment sectors for the benefit of our young people” he explained.
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai said at the meeting that the North will vote for the APC candidate not only because the APC Governors support power rotation to the South but also because past northern leaders such as Ahmadu Bello were in support of power rotation for equity and fairness.
APC Campaign Director-General and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong said a great Nigeria is achievable under Tinubu’s leadership, adding that, if elected, the country will remain united and prosperous.
The meeting was made of leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, Central for Historical Development Research, Arewa House, and Arewa Research and Documentation Project.
Olusola Akintonde
