Olusegun Olanrewaju
The All-Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has vowed to prioritise employment opportunities for Nigerians willing and ready to work, especially the people of Akwa-Ibom State.

Speaking at the Nest of Champion Stadium, Uyo before a massive crowd, Tinubu thanked the people of the state, especially APC members who voted for him, to emerge the candidate of the party in the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

In a statement by his media aide Tunde Rahman, he said the power to become president resides with the people.

“The power to become president resides in you. Akwa-Ibom. You have welcomed me wholeheartedly. God will give you a blessing. When I said, ‘Emi lo kan’, God answered that prayer through you people. I got the ticket. Let me thank all of you for that ticket. I am grateful.”

The APC presidential candidate, however, told the people of the state and supporters that they would not get the full credit until they all voted and ensured victory in the general elections for all APC candidates in the National Assembly, Governorship, State Assembly, and presidential elections.”

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According to him, “No one gets credit for an incomplete assignment because the assignment is not complete until you vote. So, go and get your PVC. This is the revolution to change poverty into prosperity. Joblessness to joyfulness.”

In his prepared speech, which he only read in part, Tinubu said the government’s highest purpose is to use the resources at its disposal for the benefit of the people, in direct reference to Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whose only vaunted credential is that he saved money while he was governor of Anambra State.

The presidential candidate added that “Obi watched his people suffer, while he continued to boast of saving money for the state, which has become his biggest campaign achievement.”

Tinubu urged Nigerians to roundly reject Obi who saved money for the state while refusing to save the people of Anambra State as governor of the state.

Also speaking about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the APC flag bearer said Atiku’s only aim of wanting to be president is to be able to sell the nation’s assets to his friends.

He said, “My opponents will say that my vision for Nigeria is too big and too far away to attain. I say to them that their vision is too small and selfish. I want to take you to a better future where the government works even more on your behalf to improve your daily lives.

“My opponents want to take you back in time to a point where you, the citizens, labour and toil so they can get richer by the day while you get nothing. I want to move you along the path of progressive governance that leads to a more prosperous economy as well as abiding security and peace for all.

“This election will decide whether you believe you and the rest of the nation are entitled to the good things only progressive, compassionate and responsible governance can deliver, or do you want to relinquish your future to Someone like Mr Privatise of the PDP or Peter the stingy.

“One man wants to sell all of Nigeria’s public assets and its future so that only he and his tight club of conspirators can enjoy the meat of the land. While Mr. Stingy wants to do for the nation what he did to Anambra. He let the people suffer while keeping and hiding their own money from them and their basic needs. He refused to save people so that he could save money.”

Speaking on his plans for Akwa Ibom State, Tinubu promised that through an oil-rich state, he would help bring more resources to the state through diversification into agriculture and harnessing the tourism opportunities available in the state.

He also promised to help protect their oil reserves from vandals so that the state will be able to get what it truly deserves from the large oil deposits it has, while also ensuring that the oil companies take care of and give back to their host communities to ensure development.”

Speaking at the rally, the APC governorship candidate in Akwa-Ibom State, Akanimo Udofia, dismissed those using religion to campaign.

He revealed that Asiwaju built a monastery for the Catholic Church in Epe, Lagos State and he is a president that will serve Nigerians well regardless of their religion and ethnicity.

Former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, charged the people of the state to vote for Asiwaju Tinubu and all APC candidates.

In attendance at the Uyo rally were top government officials, party leaders, and members of the presidential campaign council.

They included Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Director-General of the campaign council and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, Cross Rivers State Governor, Ben Ayade, APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Emma Enekwu, and former Minister of Niger Delta.

Others include a former governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, current Minister of Niger Delta, Umana Okon Umana, former Minister of Petroleum, Don Etiebet, former Economic Crimes and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, and APC National Woman Leader Beta Edu, among many others