President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he was hopeless ahead of the 2023 presidential election, but the support he received from the people of Rivers State David him the current mandate.
Tinubu, who made the revelation on Saturday while speaking at the presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium Igwurita-Ali, near Port Harcourt, described the people of the state as major contributors to his mandate.
“To all of you, I say good afternoon. I came purposely to thank you. Thank you on behalf of All Progressive Congress, our party. Your response to our call has been great. Oh, thank you for last election, 2022-2023.
“I looked very hopeless, but you took doubt to support me, gave me the mandate. Mandate that I used to govern today, you are a positive contributor. I must thank you for going out there to vote, and vote massively for APC.
“Today again, I return here to say thank you. And seek your support for the second term. I’m seeking that support because you believe in me. You believe that I care for you. Particularly all of you, the young youths. Your education, your welfare, your skill is extremely important to me, to Nigeria. I assure you, we have started the golden age. The prosperity is here”, he said.
The President stated that when took over in 2023, 27 out of the 26 states in the country were unable to pay salaries of their workers, pointing out that his administration has reversed this trend.
Tinubu said: “When I took over, 27 out of 36 states were unable to pay salaries. You know what that means to family dependents, to many of market women and men and the population. 27 of the 36 states.
“But as I finish, we have reversed that thinking. We are on the move for prosperity. So every salary earner, there’s a dependant, there’s somebody sharing the food at home.”
The President took a swipe at the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, urging Nigerian to ask him how he was able to build a university while still servicing as Vice President.
“Ask him how he builds a university while in office as vice president, in charge of our economy. Who built the university for him? Is your money? Is your effort? A man without moral integrity, latitude, and ethics for the office,” he said.
Tinubu described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike as a working partner with the current administration, who is committed and hardworking.
The President said: “Today, I have many of you, Rivers people, in government, working so hard. Particularly, Wike. Wike is already a development partner of Bola Tinubu administration. He’s doing wonderful job, committed, very, very hard working; a man with vision who combine that with the mission.
“And help thank him for me for his contribution to the infrastructural development of our country.
I want to thank you also again for maintaining peace and stability during the seeming crisis created by misunderstanding in the family.
To me, I intervene on your behalf. Siminalayi Fubara, your Excellency the host Governor of today, I want to thank you specifically for maturity, understanding, respect for the wisdom of elders.
“When we intervene, you respected our position, you maintained peace. You are a committed Democrat. Fubara, you will not regret what you have done, as long as all of us are alive.
“To the youth of Nigeria, I’m looking at you. This election is about you. It’s not about me. Your future depend on this election. This progress, I’m no Rivers. It is left for you to use the weapon you have. And that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead, collect it. Please, I beg you, I take God beg with you.
“Now so, now so! The weapon you have against poverty is to elect progressive development of our economy. That is what I’m pursuing. The people that govern before, they left unpaid pensions and gratuity in billions and trillions of Naira. That is big clear so that every family is included.
“We are sharing prosperity already. A retired engineer is receiving their gratuity right now. A retired welder is receiving the pension right now. A retired teacher is receiving their pension right now.
“Thank you for bearing with me. Thank you for your interaction with me. I love you all. I love you all. God bless you. God bless you.”
In his remarks, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, told the people of the state that Tinubu is there brother considering his interventions on issues concerning the state.
“Mr. President, I want to thank you once again for your love for River State, for this region and for this whole country. Long live our great party. Long live the coalition and long live the people.
“Who is your brother? Your brother is a man who identifies with you when you have a problem. Your brother is a man who identifies with you when you have a problem. Now, who is your brother now? Who is your brother? Who is your brother? Say it again.
“Say it again. Say it again. So, our brother is going to enter the group because he identifies with the people of Rivers State, because he has concluded the Bonny-Bodo Road.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara said the campaign rally, which was attended by members of other political parties, was an affirmation of of the bond among the people of the state and the federal government
“President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed , and your amiable wife, we welcome you to Rivers State’s campaign for presidential election come January 2027.
“Your Excellency, on behalf of the government and the good people of Rivers State, I welcome you all to Rivers State, the treasure base of the nation. Mr. President, I warmly welcome you and your distinguished entourage to the land of hospitality, peace, and progress.
Mr. President, we thank you and the Presidential Campaign Committee for the opportunity to showcase the strength of Rivers State today in this rally. I welcome you to Rivers State, the All Progressives Congress, and also the Rainbow Coalition family.
“Mr. President, your visit today is not just a visit to us. It is an affirmation of the bond among Rivers States, between the federal government and your personal love and commitment to Rivers State and this region.
“I wish to place on record that the entire Rivers State and this region is grateful to you for your unwavering love and commitment to Rivers State and this region for stability and economic progress.
“Over the past three and a half years, you have demonstrated true strategic federal support and delivery of key infrastructural projects, including the ongoing Calabar-Lagos Coastal Road,” the governor said.
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