National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has called on Nigerians to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to sentence the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to political death, just as President Muhammadu Buhari said he has delivered on his promises.
Oshiomhole made this call when President Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senator Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders stormed Ibadan, on Saturday, to campaign for Buhari’s reelection, while the president spoke about his electoral promises later in Osogbo, Osun State.
Oshiomhole charged Nigerians to use their PVCs to vote against Atiku and his said plans “to sell the nation’s assets, privatise Nigeria and enrich his friends.”
“We won’t kill them with our mouths, but with PVCs. The use of your PVC to vote Buhari, come February 16, will kill Atiku and PDP politically.
“Atiku, during an interview in Lagos, said he would sell the nation’s assets; he would enrich his friends. Would you vote for someone keen on stealing our treasury? No more sharing of the treasury by the rich and for the rich. Vote against privatisation of Nigeria. Vote against enriching friends of Atiku. Vote against sale of assets.
“Rather, vote continuity of school feeding, N-power, continuity of roads and rail construction,” Oshiomhole said.
Speaking further, Oshiomhole described as insulting the position of former President Olusegun Obasanjo “that he had forgiven an Atiku that he once lambasted as corrupt.”
In his address, President Buhari affirmed the commitment of his administration to fixing roads, rail and power, charging governors of the South-West to give attention to agriculture, in line with his administration’s focus on diversification of the economy from oil.
“We have watched over the years how lives and property are lost on a daily basis. And if a fraction of what this country was earning had been used to develop infrastructure, we would benefit more.
“And that is why the minister of transportation has given the assurance that we are working hard to ensure that the road and railway into Lagos and Ibadan are done by the end of this year.
“Also, I have asked your governors to go back to the land. Agriculture is key in the South-West. We have now stopped the importation of rice virtually and we have saved hundreds of millions of dollars which we have put into infrastructure.
“We are going to do the roads. We are going to do power and I assure you that with your support, we will fulfill this mandate,” Buhari said.
Osinbajo, in his remarks, warned Nigerians against voting a return to the dark days of looting of the nation’s treasury, calling for “votes for Buhari to continue to lead the country on the path of progress and development.”
According to Osinbajo, “even Buhari’s enemies know that Buhari stands for truth, integrity and is committed to the development of the nation.”
Also speaking, Tinubu described allegations by persons in the opposition that the APC government planned to rig the election as evidence of weariness and fear of losing.
He urged Nigerians not to be deceived by “liars.”
“Don’t be deceived by the liars. The opposition is scared, hence, its allegations of plans to rig the election. If they are tired, they should rest and stop alleging rigging. Crowds at rallies do not amount to victory. So, on the day of election, use your PVC and vote Buhari,” Tinubu said.
The campaign, held at Mapo Hall, also had in attendance, Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; Director General, APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi; spokesperson for the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo; Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), chairman, Oyo APC, Chief Akin Oke; and Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Olagunju Ojo.
Others were APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; and his deputy, Samuel Eegunjobi; Director, South West, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Olusola Oke; wife of Oyo governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi; and the state’s deputy governor, Mr Moses Adeyemo.
Amaechi, in his own address, said the Lagos to Ibadan light rail project would become operational before the election.
Host governor, Ajimobi, urged Nigerians to embrace “the security of savings, integrity, nobility of character, rectitude, incorruptibility, daylight development which the Buhari administration represents above corruptibility, darkness, looting, decadence and dishonesty which the main opposition represents.”
Addressing a crowd during the Osogbo campaign at the Osogbo Township Stadium, Buhari maintained that his administration had tackled the insurgency in the North-East states of Borno and Yobe.
“I am here to thank you all for coming out in great number despite the sun. I want to remind you of the condition we met this country and the promises we made in 2015.
“On security, we have tried our best, most especially in North-East. Before we came on board, Boko Haram was holding 17 local government areas. But today, they are not physically holding any local government.”
“They now concentrate on soft targets, such as market places and motor parks. We are committed to dislodging the terrorists as part of our resolve to ensure effective security of our people,” Buhari remarked.
He added that “on economy and agriculture, we are doing our best. We are also fighting corruption and bribery. People are being investigated and prosecuted. Whoever is found culpable would be brought to face the law.
“I am campaigning for all our candidates contesting for the Senate and House of Representatives seats. APC is going to work for you and the collective interest of the nation.”
The president had earlier met the traditional rulers in Osun State at Government House, Oke-Fia, where he solicited for their support on his reelection bid.
While urging the traditional rulers to support his government on security, Buhari said “since 2013, I have always requested to see the traditional rulers in any state I travel to because of their closeness to the people. And I always appeal to them to secure the society by securing their communities.”
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Orangun of Ila Orangun, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, promised that they would deliver the state to the president.
“Mr President, you don’t have any problem in Osun. You are winning. You don’t need to campaign because the good work you have done in the state and the country will speak for you,” he said.
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