My plans for prosperous, united Nigeria, by Tinubu
•Ruling party’s standard bearer unfolds blueprint for out-of-school children
•Why North should vote APC candidate, by El-Rufai
All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday unveiled his manifesto for next year’s election before Nothern leaders.
The eminent politician promised to champion the cause of “an indivisible and prosperous Nigeria”, while also vowing to build on President Muhammadu Buhari’s infrastructural revolution.
Tinubu promised to return ‘out-of-school children, to school and make the North hub of agric business in the Sub-Shara Africa.
Recalling how he supported Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar when he contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2007, Tinubu urged him to reciprocate the gesture by endorsing his candidature.
The APC standard bearer said Atiku should step down because it is “pay back time” for him.
He said: “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 pay back time. Let Atiku endorse me instead of organizing rally in Kaduna, while I am addressing eminent personalities in Kaduna. I supported him in 2007.”
The joint committee is made up 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.
Tinubu laid his action plan before the committee, two days after Atiku appeared before the Northern leaders.
At the session, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai spoke on why the North will vote for the APC candidate.
He said APC governors supported power rotation to the South in the spirit of honour, equity, fairness and justice, which the illustrious pathfinder, Sir Ahmadu Bello, stood for when he was alive.
El-Rufai said if the late Sarduna of Sokoto were alive today, he will support zoning to the South.
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 because he will give equal opportunities to citizens to thrive.
Tinubu, who spoke for 57 minutes, reiterated his commitment to an indivisible country where people can co-exist peacefully and realize their potentials.
He paid tributes to the founding fathers – Sarduna Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and former Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa – for their belief in the shared values of patriotism, equity, justice and brotherhood.
Tinubu added: “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 which 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, 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 promised to consolidate the achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in all sectors.
He said his administration, reminiscent of his feats as Lagos State governor, would implement workable policies that will nip insecurity in the bud in the North and across the country.
Nothing that the country is endowed with resources that can be harnessed for greater economic development, he said he would focus on investment and effective management.
Tinubu said: “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.
Source: NationOnlineng.net
