The ambition of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday got a boost in Kaduna where Governor Nasir El-Rufai and delegates in the state pledged their support.
In a voice vote administered by the governor, the delegates predicated their support on Tinubu being “the first aspirant to come to us”.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State Governor, described himself as the most qualified of all the presidential aspirants across the political parties.
He said: “Others are running without knowing where they are going, but I know my destination and it is the Presidential Villa”.
He told the delegates that his wealth of experience, garnered from the private sector, involvement in the fight for the return of democracy from trenches, being a governor for eight years laying the foundation for the development of Lagos State and being an integral part of the APC merger, as credentials that qualified him as the best man for the APC ticket.
Tinubu urged the people of the Northwest state to follow him.
He pledged to end insecurity and banditry; ensure infrastructural development; boost agriculture with return of commodity exchange; revive textiles and other moribund industries and mobilise investments to create massive job opportunities.
The aspirant urged the delegates and APC leaders to support the fight to ensure that APC maintains its ruling status at the federal and state levels.
He said: “Under me (I am confident I will win), we would support you on all aspects of governance because you are a democratic people and you have a history behind you. With the history of progressives, you are ready for changes, development and to give confidence to your children.
“You must work twice harder for this government to remain APC. The broom has meaning that is associated with religion; cleanliness, hygiene and getting rid of thieves.
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“Many of you are facing challenges of insecurity, going along with governance is an exceptionally difficult period for our nation but with a foresight, visionary and committed leadership, there is no way we would not overcome this struggle.
“I come to assure you that I am one of you; I identify with you and I am determined that with you, if given the mandate of our party; we will defeat all evils called banditry. That is why we are running.
“I am going to the Villa Insha Allah. I am running, I don’t have legs without you. You are my legs, my wings to get me there. I would not let you down.
“We have to ensure harmony and unity, unity of purpose.
“We joined hands together and we formed the APC; we didn’t fail. And we are not going to fail. Our broom will sweep them to the dust bin. They spent 16 years, we didn’t see the road. I know the road. You have been consistent in Kaduna. I know you will follow me, follow the man that knows the road.”
Governor El-Rufai noted that people being addressed are all statutory delegates from where the state’s 69 delegates to the national convention will be chosen on Tuesday.
“You are the first presidential aspirant to come to Kaduna. I cannot be fully in your corner unless the delegates agree. I know Asiwaju, I know his capacity and I know what he can do.”
The governor asked the Kaduna state delegate if they are for Tinubu, to which they loudly responded “yes”. He also asked if anyone is against the aspirant and they responded with a resounding “no”.
The governor stressed: “We are for consensus. The people here would ensure that they stand by you. Our people appeared convinced and when the people of Kaduna give our word, we keep our word.”
Former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, who was in Tinubu’s entourage, described the aspirant as a great manager of human and material resources who will take Nigeria to a greater height.
