Battle For The North: Tinubu Storms Jos, Atiku Draws Crowd In Bauchi

BY ACHOR ABIMAJE, Jos and KHALID IDRIS DOYA, Bauchi

President Bola Tinubu yesterday assured residents of Plateau State that his administration would rebuild communities ravaged by attacks and ensure the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.

The president also pledged to strengthen security operations and restore lasting peace to the state.

He gave the assurance while speaking at the APC North-Central presidential campaign rally in Jos.

Tinubu said, “I got the report from the governor, and I saw hope in the faces of our people. It is now that we can rebuild, and I assure those displaced that we will rebuild your communities and bring you back to your communities.

“I have directed all the security agencies to take decisive action. What we should be getting is stability and prosperity, not crisis. Our government was not elected to inflict wounds on one another or to bury people. We have to lift people up from penury to prosperity.”

The president also disclosed that his administration was reinforcing security deployment and strengthening coordination among security agencies to improve rapid response to security threats.

Tinubu also called on residents to embrace peaceful coexistence, saying unity, fairness and mutual respect were necessary for the future of Plateau State.

“The future on this land is shared. Living together peacefully is a necessity we must nurture with patience, fairness and mutual respect.

“I plead with you to forget whatever differences we may have. Let us work together for one country,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Bauchi, Atiku Pledges To Revive Kolmani Oil Exploration, Restore Petroleum Subsidy

Elsewhere in Bauchi yesterday, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, promised to restore petroleum and electricity subsidies, tackle insecurity and sustain oil exploration in Kolmani if elected president in the 2027 general elections.

He made the promises at the ADC presidential campaign rally held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

He said his administration, if elected, would prioritise restoring petroleum and electricity subsidies as part of measures to address the economic challenges facing Nigerians.

The former vice president also pledged to restore security across the North-East and other parts of the country, assuring Nigerians that insecurity would receive serious attention under his leadership.

Atiku further promised to sustain petroleum exploration activities in the Kolmani oil field to create additional sources of revenue for the country.

He said, “I have already promised all Nigerians that I will restore petroleum subsidy. Not only that, I will also restore subsidy in power, electricity power.

“Thirdly, I said I will restore security in the northern subregion and the country in general. I also promised that I will continue the exploration of petroleum in Kolmani, so that we will have additional sources of revenue.”

On the forthcoming elections, Atiku urged ADC supporters to remain vigilant and ensure that their votes were protected, describing the exercise as essential to safeguarding their democratic rights.

He urged voters to ensure that their votes were properly counted and that election results were transmitted before leaving their polling units.

The ADC presidential candidate said the responsibility of protecting their votes should not be limited to the presidential election but should also cover elections into the National Assembly, state assemblies and local government councils.

He urged the people of Bauchi State to come out in large numbers and vote for ADC candidates at all levels, from the presidency to councillorship positions.

Atiku expressed appreciation to the people of Bauchi State for their continued support, describing the state as one of the areas that had given him some of the highest votes in previous elections.

He assured them that he would not forget their loyalty, pledging to work towards addressing the country’s major challenges if given another opportunity to lead Nigeria.

He also thanked God for granting him another opportunity to visit Bauchi State and seek the support of its people, assuring them that he would not take their continued loyalty for granted.