…BAT, Best Man for The Job – Senator Soji Akanbi reaffirms
By Mandy Park
Following his massive engagements with religious groups and leaders in the country, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, again, on Sunday spoke, on his plans to retool the economy of the country for the benefit of all citizens.
Tinubu, speaking at a Town Hall meeting with Muslim Leaders from South West in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, also commended religious leaders in the country for their continued prayers and sermons, which he acknowledged had contributed to unity and peaceful coexistence among the people.
Describing the forthcoming 2023 general elections as “Nigeria’s momentous encounter with destiny”, BAT, as the former governor of Lagos state is fondly called, charged the Islamic clerics to educate their followers on the importance of exercising their franchise and voting only tested candidates with a track record of excellent public service, “and not falling for the lies and gimmicks of those that have nothing to offer.”
Tinubu, who spoke partly in Yoruba language, said: “This election season has been a hybrid of facts and falsehood, truth and lies. I would like the election to be one based on facts and truth. What is a candidate’s record of performance and what are his policies. I ask you to urge your followers to come out and vote, and to do so wisely. Vote for a candidate that has vision for a peaceful, prosperous Nigeria where tolerance and compassion undergird our constitutional and legal rights.”
Tinubu assured Nigerians that he would be “a fair and just leader,” adding, “My pledge for fairness and justice is consistent with the tenets of Islamic faith. A leader in a plural society like ours is enjoined to be a leader of all. If elected, I shall govern in an honest and democratic manner in harmony with our nation’s constitution.”
Citing his excellent stewardship as former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Tinubu promised to use that experience to lead Nigeria in the “same spirit of innovation and pragmatic vision to uplift the nation and renew the hope of Nigerians.
On security, Tinubu vowed to end the reign of terror, kidnappings and other violent crimes by recruiting more personnel that would be trained and retrained, in addition to providing more security tools and gadgets for effective fight against criminal elements.
The nation’s economy, according to Tinubu, would be diversified and restructured towards achieving at least 6 percent growth annually. These goals would be achieved through the reforms of our industrial policy, infrastructural enhancement, power sector innovation and significant budgetary reforms.
Said Tinubu “Regarding the economy, we seek to repair the very structure of the economy. We can no longer flourish as an economy based on natural resource extraction.
“We must become a dynamic, diversified economy where those who want to work can find a good job. But let us also be a society sufficiently compassionate to help those who cannot help themselves.
“We must revive manufacturing and industrial growth so as to create jobs as well as produce the goods and services that improve the daily lives of the average person.
“We seek a minimum of 6 percent growth annually through reform of our industrial policy, infrastructural enhancement, power sector innovation and significant budgetary reform,”.
On agricultural sector, Asiwaju Tinubu promised “To guarantee food security through enhanced productivity and improved farm incomes in order to ensure that no child goes to bed without food to eat.
“In the end, may no Nigerian parent send a child to bed hungry, despairing what tomorrow might bring. Instead, let all of our children, regardless of their faith or creed, be able to lay their head down believing in a better tomorrow of hope renewed.”
Earlier, welcoming Tinubu to the interaction, MUSWEN President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, said the event provided a unique opportunity for the APC candidate to interface with the Muslim leaders of South West on his plans and vision for the nation if elected, “particularly on how he could make the country a land of great opportunities where no man will be oppressed.”
The National Chief Missioner of Anwar-ur- Deen Movement, Sheikh Ahmad Abdulrahman, pointed out that the gathering was not to campaign or endorse Asíwájú or any candidate.
“But to seek and to know and to see whether Asíwájú Tinubu can still deliver for the country as he did as the governor of Lagos State.”
Tinubu was accompanied to the meeting with the South West leaders by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Femi Hamzat,former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, Deputy Director-General of his campaign, Hadiza Bala Usman, Sen Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi and many serving and former members of the National Assembly.
On the sidelines of the meeting while interacting with newsmen, former Senator of Oyo South and Okanlomo of Ibadan Land, Sen. Soji Akanbi extolled Asiwaju Tinubu’s virtues and technical know how, insisting he has the needed credentials to positively transform Nigeria.
The former lawmaker, maintained that BAT remained the best man for the job and encouraged Nigerians to massively vote for the APC Presidential Candidate.
Asiwaju Tinubu had earlier interfaced with Bishops from Pentecostal Churches in the 19 states of the North and the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), where he delivered a similar message as he did to the Muslim leaders of South West.
He had told the Christian leaders that if elected, he would run an all inclusive government that will be blind to ethnicity and religion, but fair and equitable to all.