Obi: Nigeria Safe in Stingy Man’s Hands
*G-5 govs will soon shut the door of reconciliation, Wike warns PDP
*Kwankwaso pledges to prioritize education, and job creation if elected president
Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being associated with poverty, unemployment, insecurity, lack of development, and other negative aspects of human development. Additionally, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate, stated that Nigeria would be more secure under a frugal leader. On the other hand, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party’s candidate, emphasized that his priorities, if elected president, would be education and job creation.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has stated that the G-5 governors of the PDP plan to prevent reconciliation. He has also warned National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and presidential candidate Atiku that they may face consequences if they do not comply with the G-5 governors’ request to give the party chairmanship to the South. Atiku believes that the best way to overcome the issues facing the country is to defeat the APC in the next election and support a government led by the PDP.
Yesterday, while speaking at a presidential rally for the main opposition party in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, the former vice president promised to end the ongoing problem with the Ajaokuta Steel Company and to develop the inland port in the state. He emphasized that the development of the inland port is not just important for Kogi State, but for the entire northern region of Nigeria.
He said: “The APC deceived you and you voted for them, now you have seen the results: poverty, unemployment, insecurity, lack of development, and negative impacts on human development brought about by the APC. You will not vote for them again. I am very pleased with the people of Kogi State for showing their support and love. Many of the challenges facing the state have been mentioned by previous speakers, one of which is the Ajaokuta Steel Company. I want to assure you that if you give the PDP your support and elect a PDP government, the problems with Ajaokuta will be resolved. This is a promise I am making on behalf of the PDP.”
“I want to assure you that the development of the inland port in Kogi is not just a concern for the state, but for all of Northern Nigeria. The port will provide access to maritime transportation for the entire region. I assure you that we will work to implement this program,” Atiku stated.
He further stated, “I want to assure you that if you vote for the PDP, there will no longer be issues with unpaid salaries in Kogi State. We will support the state to ensure that everyone is paid. From what I have seen in places like Obajana and Lokoja, there are thousands of young men and women who need jobs. If we can’t provide jobs, we will provide opportunities for business. I pledge to set aside $10 billion to empower our young people and help them live comfortable life.” Additionally, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, highlighted that Kogi State is one of the wealthiest states in terms of solid minerals and that the country needs a businessman like Atiku to make policies that would attract people from all over the world to come and extract the wealth in Kogi. The Director General of the Campaign and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, also emphasized that Atiku would ensure the safety of citizens and property, and work to restructure and fully recover the economy of Nigeria.
Obi: Nigeria Safe in Stingy Man’s Hands
The presidential candidate of the LP, Obi, stated that Nigeria would be safer under a frugal leader. In response to being labeled as “stingy” by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, Obi admitted to being frugal but emphasized his ability to handle public funds responsibly. Tinubu had previously criticized both Obi and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by referring to Abubakar as “Mr. Privatize” and Obi as “Mr. Stingy.”
At a presidential campaign rally in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, Obi acknowledged being labeled as stingy while responding to a statement made by a former governor of Lagos State. He stated that he would rather be considered stingy and invest in sectors such as education, health, and the economy to develop the country. He said, “They said that I’m stingy; we want stingy people now so that we can keep the money. We want to make sure we use your money to transform the country. I am stingy, but our intent is not to steal the nation’s wealth, all we want to do is use the nation’s money for our people and the development of this country.”
Obi emphasized during his speech that the upcoming election should not be based on tribe, but rather on a candidate’s character and trustworthiness. He stated that the public is already familiar with his and his running mate’s educational background and age and that he has a track record of accomplishments from his time as governor of Anambra. He also pointed out that when he left office, he left behind $150 million and that people can verify this information. He stressed that the election is about choosing a candidate that will move the country forward.
Obi stated that Nigeria as a whole is facing insecurity, with people leaving, suffering and hungry. He emphasized that his goal is to secure and unite Nigeria and move the country from consumption to production. He promised to put an end to school strikes, support small businesses and ensure that nobody will leave their community because of insecurity. He also emphasized that fighting corruption and providing electricity are key priorities for his campaign. He also noted that the presidency is not a birthright for any ethnic group in the country and that the priority should be on voting for credible, prudent, and responsible leaders in 2023.
“Our goal is to improve Nigeria for the betterment of all. We want to ensure that our children receive a quality education and that people are no longer forced to leave the country. We aim to create a framework for development and work towards building a stronger nation. To achieve this, we urge everyone to support us by obtaining their PVCs and voting for the Labour Party, and ensuring that every vote is counted. I, as a past governor, have left a positive financial impact on Anambra State’s history.”
“We will ensure that our security personnel is provided with a supportive environment and the well-being of their families is taken care of, so they can effectively protect the citizens. Additionally, the vice presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, urged residents to collect their PVCs and emphasized that he and his running mate are the most qualified candidates. Furthermore, the Secretary General of Afenifere and South-west Coordinator of LP Presidential Campaign Council, Sola Ebiseni, stated that for the sake of fairness, unity, and equity, it is the Southeast’s turn to produce the next President of Nigeria.”
G-5 Governors will Soon Shut Door of Reconciliation, Wike Warns PDP
“Additionally, Wike announced that the G-5 governors of the PDP, including himself, Makinde, Ugwuanyi, Ikpeazu, and Ortom, are moving to close off the possibility of reconciliation. These governors, who were all elected under the PDP, have withdrawn their support for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku, and are demanding that the National Chairman, Ayu, step down and be replaced by a candidate from the southern region.”
“The G-5 governors, including Wike, have called for Ayu’s resignation as National Chairman of the PDP because they believe that the party’s presidential candidate and national chairman should not come from the same region. In an interview with the BBC Pidgin, Wike stated that the G-5 governors are planning to close off the possibility of reconciliation with the PDP leadership. He also mentioned that once the G-5 governors have decided on their choice of a presidential candidate, there will be no turning back. Wike emphasized that they are not in a hurry to make a decision and will reveal their choice of candidate to the public soon. He said, “Some people are counting January 4th, 16th. They should calm down. We are all politicians; we have political strategies. I don’t work as an individual. That’s what people don’t understand. There are different strategies for going to war. What you see today is not what you see tomorrow. Oh, I laugh at them (PDP) when they say we are in touch with so, so governor.”
“I am trying to say that PDP should have their chance now because there will come a time when the door will be closed and nothing will happen. If that day comes, let it be. Nobody should threaten anyone. If the G-5 governors decide not to support the PDP candidate, we will give our reasons and nothing can be done about it. They should be careful,” Wike said. He also clarified that his statement about Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi being presidential material did not constitute an endorsement. Wike warned Ayu and Atiku that they will face consequences if they fail to comply with the G-5 governors’ demand for a southern national chairman. He made this statement at a press conference at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he also commented on the resignation of former health minister and PDP Board of Trustee member Prof. ABC Nwosu from the party, which he said vindicates the G-5 governors’ demands for equity, fairness, and justice.
Wike, addressing stakeholders of the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area said, “I have been challenging them on what we are fighting for. My point is and will always be, that we are all citizens of this country and nobody is a second-class citizen. We have agreed on how our party should be structured. Recently, Prof. A.B.C Nwosu resigned from the party, citing that his conscience would not allow him to stay, because the party’s constitution is clear, if one group takes this, others should take that. Now, why are we saying we won’t do it again? What people are saying is, you have taken your share, let others have their share too. And if you take it all, you will also face the consequences,” Wike explained.
Kwankwaso Pledges to Prioritise Education, Job Creation If Elected President
Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the NNPP, announced that education and job creation would be his top priorities if elected. He made this statement while kicking off his campaign for the North-west Zone in Kaduna. He emphasized that the NNPP’s plan is the best for Nigeria as it addresses the country’s current challenges. He pledged to construct 500,000 classrooms to solve the issue of the over 20 million children who are out of school. Additionally, he promised to end the payment for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB forms and the sale of application forms for admission to any higher education institution in the country.
According to Kwankwaso, the goal is to provide access to education for children from less privileged backgrounds. He stated that their blueprint for Nigeria is the best and that education is a critical area of focus, specifically mentioning the cancellation of fees for examinations such as WAEC, NECO, JAMB, and applications to any institution in the country. The aim is to allow children from low-income families to reach their full potential in education and achieve the highest level of education possible.
Kwankwaso, the NNPP presidential candidate, emphasized the importance of education and plans to build 500,000 classrooms for the over 20 million out-of-school children at the primary level. He also highlighted the need to make sure education is given priority and that being poor should not be a barrier to education. He also expressed concern about the rising rates of drug abuse among the youth and pledged to create job opportunities to combat this issue. He also plans to establish reformatory centers across the country to rehabilitate drug addicts and help them return to a normal life.
Source: ThisDay Live