By: Felix Ikpotor
President Bola Tinubu has challenged Nigerian youths to come out en masse and participate in the 2027 election saying the election is about their future and prosperity.
Tinubu who stated this at the Presidential Campaign Rally in Port Harcourt, also said things are getting better in the country because his administration has been cable ties reverse decays of the past to usher in a golden era of prosperity.
He said the country is on course for prosperity, assuring that the next dispensation would experience prosperity.
“We are on course for prosperity. I assure you, we have started the golden age. Prosperity is here.”
“To the youths of Nigeria this election is about you, it’s not for me. Your future depends on this election. This progress has no reverse gear.
“It’s left for you to use the weapons you have and that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead and collect.
“The weapon you have against poverty is to elect aggressive development of our economy. Thats what I’m pursuing”, Tinubu stated.
He explained that when he took over in 2023 things were so bad that many states in the country could not pay salaries. He said that his administration’s policies have reversed the trend.
“When I took over, 27 out of 36 States were unable to pay salaries, you know what that means. Families depending on salaries. For every salary earner there’s a dependant, there’s somebody sharing the food at home.
“But we have reversed the decay, we are on course for prosperity”, he stated.
The president accused his opponent, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the African Democracy Congrese (ADC), of lacking the moral integrity to serve as president of Nigeria alleging that he was part of the people that destroyed the economy of Nigeria. He accused Atiku of diverting public funds to build his private university.
Tinubu expressed appreciation to Rivers people saying; “I came to say thank you, thank you on behalf of the APC. Your response has been great. Thank you for last election 2022/2023.
“I looked very hopeless then, but you trooped out to support me and gave me your mandate. The mandate I use to govern till today and make positive contribution. I must thank you.
“Today again I return to say thank you and seek your support for second term.
“I seek that support because you believe in me. You believe because you know that I care for you, particularly all of you the young youths, your education, your welfare, your skill is important to me, to Nigeria.
“Today, I have many of you, Rivers people in government working so hard, particularly, Nyesom Wike”, whom he described as a development partner of the Tinubu administration.
The president thanked Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his maturity, understanding and respect for the wisdom of elders during the days of the political conflict in the state.
“When we intervened, you respected our position. You maintained peace. You will not regret what you have done as long as all of us are alive”, the President assured him.
Speaking at the rally, Fubara welcomed and thanked the President for his intervention in the conflict noting that it was instrumental to the peace the state is currently enjoying.
He also appreciated the President for his personal love for Rivers State demonstrated in the several infrastructure projects and appointments to citizens of the state.
The Rivers Governor assured the President of the state’s votes during the elections.
Fubara said; “When the state was at the cross roads, as a father you reached out and intervened directly making sacrifices so that our administration will continue to deliver governance to the state.
“Thank you for standing with us during the trying period.”As you stood with us, we will stand with you. As you supported us, Rivers State will support you as you seek the renewal of your mandate. “We will demonstrate our appreciation with our votes. We will campaign, mobilise and deliver a decisive victory with our votes.
“Will deliver not less than 3-million votes to the President.”
On his part the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who is also the Presidential Campaign Director in Rivers and Abuja welcomed the President to the state on behalf of the people and all the political parties in the Rainbow Coalition.
He said the state has agreed to vote the president back in 2027.
“Rivers State has already agreed, we have concluded that come 2027, we will vote for you”, Wike declared.
Wike said his opponent in the State, Chibuike Amaechi was not campaigning claiming that Amaechi had said he would not campaign because he was popular.
He said that on the day of the election Amaechi would withdraw from the election to allege irregularities, wondering how he would expect to win votes without campaigns.
Earlier, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Andulaziz charged the APC leaders in Rivers State to deliver nothing less than 2.8million votes in the elections.
