The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to provide leadership that would inspire the country to greater heights.
On Day 1 of the official break of the campaign on Wednesday, Tinubu released on his Twitter handle a statement titled “Message to Nigerians” through which he invited “all Nigerians” to join him and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima on what he described as an “exciting an important journey as we share vision of Renewed Hope for the people of our dear country, Nigeria”.
He pledged that he and his pair would be launch Nigeria into a new era of new thinking, innovative ideas and vision.
The statement reads: “l invite all Nigerians to join me and HE Senator Kashim Shettima on this exciting and important journey as we set our shared vision of renewed hope for the people of our dear country, Nigeria.
“We will, in the weeks and months ahead, be taking our dream of a functional, safe, secure and prosperous Nigeria to every part of Nigeria and we will continue to put forward our plan to lead this country towards its best future.
“Our nation stands at a threshold of history. We, like almost every other nation in the world, face significant challenges. Some have been of our own making, others, the consequences of factors well beyond the control of any Nigerian. However, one thing remains certain: we cannot afford to get this one wrong.
“We must show that we have learned from the mistakes of the past. We must be prepared to make difficult decisions. We must be wise, we must be discerning, and we must choose progress. We must favour reason over sentiment. l am prepared and ready, with my running mate, to provide the leadership that will inspire our country to greater glory with new thinking, innovative ideas and vision.
“I call on all Nigerians to please join us”.
The APC shifted the inauguration of its presidential campaign council indefinitely. According to the council’s Director General, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, the expansion of the campaign list was responsible for the adjustment of the timetable of the activities, adding that new dates would be announced.
The coalition of youth-based groups, under the aegis of City Boy Movement (CBM), on Wednesday staged a rally at the Unity Fountain in Abuja to mobilise support for the victory of Tinubu/Shettima ticket.
In a statement by its spokesman, Ojomu Taiwo Hassan said about the rally: “It is a first of many, and a demonstration of our excitement and readiness to promote our candidates, Nigeria’s City Boy, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Golden Boy of Zenith, whose transformation of Lagos and unparalleled contributions to Nigeria’s development uniquely qualifies him for the presidency.
“Thousands of young Nigerians have already thronged Abuja for the event. It will be loud, symbolic, and indicative of the obvious fact that Bola Ahmed Tinubu will sweep the youth votes in 2023.
“As a group, we consider the campaign of our candidates an obligation. We will knock on every door, speak to every Nigerian in all the languages and travel across the length and breadth of this country to preach and win converts for Tinubu/Shettima.
“Our mission is helped by the fact that they are known and tested performers. And quite frankly, it is hard, if not impossible, to reject the advances of our candidates. We will not fail”.
The Labour Party (LP) also deferred the official launch of its presidential campaign for the same reason as the APC – the non-composition of its campaign team.
But its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi was in Jos, the Plateau State capital told a rally organised by the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) that that he would end insecurity, poverty and unemployment.
He also promised to promote quality of education at all levels and improve power supply.
He said: “If you elect me as your president, I will end provide security at all levels so that our people can go to farm and by so doing, the issue of food insecurity and hunger will be a thing of the past.
“We will create jobs for our teeming unemployed youth and end poverty. We will make our educational system functional and improve electricity supply.
“We will block all leakages and end corruption at all levels; our government will be a responsible one. We will not fail Nigerians. We want a new Nigeria and we are determined to make Nigerians happy again”.
MBF President, Dr Pogu Bitrus said Obi’s presidency would address the problems in the North Central region, explaining that the forum threw its weight behind the candidate based on the principle of justice and fairness.
He said: “We didn’t arrive at the decision to support Peter Obi on sheer sentiments, but on the principle of justice and fairness.
“Again, after a careful study, we realise that Obi is competent and capable to take this nation out of its current challenges
“So, we organised this rally to show that we are fully in support of his candidature”.
The LP candidate visited Da Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau Council of Chiefs and Emirs.
