Buhari renews pledge to boost economy, fight graft

ALL Progressives Congress  (APC) leaders yesterday took their message of hope and better future for the country to Sokoto State. They were led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was at the party’s presidential campaign rally at the Giginya Township Stadium in Sokoto, the state capital.

At the rally were APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s Presidential Campaign Council Co-Chairman Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a leader of the party in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

They were received by a mammoth crowd of supporters who thronged the stadium.

President Buhari renewed his promise to strengthen the economy, fight corruption and guarantee security.

The President, who arrived at the stadium amidst cheers, promised to re-engineer the machinery of governance to make life more comfortable for all, especially, by boosting agriculture.

According to him, farmers now enjoy better yield through the government responsive patronage and investments in agriculture programmes.

“It has afforded a number of them the legitimate means of responding to their financial needs and sustained food security,” the President said.

He explained that insecurity, particularly in Borno and Yobe states, and the entire Northeast, was being tackled with appreciable successes.

“We are doing our best and Borno people can testify to that,” Buhari added.

Acknowledging the efforts of Senator Aliyu Wamakko in uniting the party in the state, the President pointed out that his administration was doing everything possible in  fighting corruption, adding that “we are not relenting and any one established to be guilty will face appropriate penalty”.

Tinubu told the audience about President Buhari’s and the APC’s determination to make Nigeria a better place for all.

According to the former Lagos State governor, Buhari has always been the best and trusted candidate to steer the ship of governance at the centre.

Tinubu said: “He (Buhari) has the moral character, honesty and zeal to move the country to the ‘Next Level’ of prosperity.

“Farmers in Nigeria have never had it good like under this APC government, being led by Buhari. I am convinced that Nigerians will vote for him to move the country in the right direction.”

Oshiomhole said Nigerians were ready to give their votes to Buhari who he described as “a man of the people” with national acceptance across the states.

According to Oshiomhole, “that is why we are behind the voice of the people to ensure his re-election”.

On the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) outcry over alleged plot to rig election, Oshiomhloe reassured that APC’s grand support was enough to send a signal to the opposition.

He said: “It is clear that since their defeat in 2015, the PDP has lost ground and the machinery of rigging, which they were used to, hence the allegations.”

Presidential Campaign Council’s Director-General and Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi explained the need renew the President’s mandate, saying that doing so will put the country on the right pedestal of good governance that would ensure the transformation of the  economy.

The former Rivers State governor announced that a blueprint was being developed for the implementation of the concluded rail lines designed to link Jibia- Gusau- Sokoto and Kebbi.

In his welcome address, the party chairman in the state, Sadiq Isah Achida, told the rally that the love for the President and the APC by Sokoto people remained unprecedented, describing the coming of Buhari as a home visit and not one for soliciting votes.

He spoke of the Sokoto business community’s plea for the President to approve the reopening of the Illela border, as they were willing to pay duties.

Wamakko, who doubles as the Northern Senators’ Forum Chairman, assured the President of the resilience of Sokoto people whom he said were ready to vote Buhari and all APC candidates.

Also at the rally were: Interior Minister Abdulrahman Danbazau, Minister of State,Trade & Investment, Aisha Abubakar; Zamfar State Governor Abdulaziz Yari; Senators Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura; Senators Ali Modu Sherif and Abubakar Umar Gada.

National Women Leader Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa, Sokoto State APC Campaign Council Director-General Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi and Musa Bashar were there. Shiekh Malam Badhir Gidan Kanawa led the opening prayer.

The campaign team also stopped over in Birni Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.