Tina Ezin
All Progressives Congress ((APC), Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has promised widespread industrialization across the country if elected president.
Tinubu said this while addressing party supporters at the party’s presidential rally on Tuesday at Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna state, where he addressed a mammoth crowd who welcomed him to the ancient city and former capital of the Northern region.
The APC Presidential Candidate thanked them for the warm reception they have continued to accord him during his previous visits to the state, most recently for the Arewa Joint Committee at the Arewa House and the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit.
While seeking their support to become Nigeria’s president come May 2023, Tinubu said he has the track record of bringing alive the hopes of the citizenry with “people-oriented governance”.
“With your support, my team and I will improve the economy, secure the peace, promote industry, grow more food and create more and better jobs for the average person. If you give me the opportunity, we shall reform the power sector such that light is brought into every home and productive work afforded every pair of willing hands.
“My administration will improve the education system for all our children including those who seem to have been rejected and forgotten and renew hope nationwide. Those who till the soil and grow our food will be helped to produce more and earn more. You farmers who feed this nation, your dignity and pride will be restored,” Tinubu said.
Speaking on his administration’s plans to massively industrialize the nation, the former Lagos State governor said, “Our industrial policy will make industries hum again. Meanwhile, we shall give the youth the training, access and policy support to explore new economic frontiers in the digital economy and other uses of technology to create new goods and services that benefit the entire population.
“Our infrastructural policy will promote nationwide road and rail transport, enabling small businesses to easily transport their goods across state-lines and engage in productive trade throughout the land. Federal roads, especially the Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road, will be turned into productive and safe highways for travel and commerce.
“Bringing jobs and cheaper power for your homes and business, the AKK gas pipeline completion will be a top priority, helping to literally fuel the region’s economy.
“We shall bring order to the mining industry discouraging illegal and dangerous mining, and promoting legal mining to bring better jobs, economic prosperity and security to Kaduna.”
Tinubu said that these will help achieve his administration’s goal of achieving a double-digit economy growth which will bring the most talented hands on deck regardless of their gender, tribe, age or affiliation.
The APC flag bearer also spoke on his plans to improve the country’s security situation, promised to wipe out terrorism and make Nigeria safe for all.
He commended the Kaduna state governor, El- Rufai for his intellect and determination for putting in motion policies and programs that are truly reforming the state and reviving the economy.
Tinubu added, “His track record speaks for him. I commend his work and am glad that he has given his support to the task that stands before us.”
In responds, the Kaduna State Governor thanked the people of the Northwest zone and particularly Kaduna State for massive turn out, saying they have shown where they stand in the 2023 race.
On his part, Governor Lalong disclosed that it was in Kaduna that the Northern Governors sat and decided that power must shift to the South and Asíwájú Tinubu should be the next president, stating that on that Asíwájú mandate they stand.
National Chairman Senator Adamu said Kaduna is the heart of Arewa and the North, adding that “the North has spoken and there is no need for more turanchi (talks).”
The party’s gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani also thanked the people for turning out in their large numbers, saying this has shown that the state belongs to the APC.
He described Asíwájú Tinubu as the only candidate who can better pilot the affairs of the country having delivered in Lagos, adding that “when he gets there, he will never forget the north.
At the rally were APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Presidential Running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, host- Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the APC National Women Leader Dr Betta Edu and members of the party’s National Working Committee.
Also in attendance were Governors Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau) who is also the Director-General of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign.
