The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Atiku Abubakar, has pledged said yesterday that he would tackle the problem of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and other challenges facing the people of Kogi State if he wins the February 25, 2023 presidential election.
Atiku made the pledge while addressing supporters yesterday at the Kogi Confluence Stadium, venue of the PDP presidential campaign rally in Lokoja.
He said a vote for him is a solution to the challenges bedevilling the federal government.
Atiku who was accompanied by his running mate and governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and other party stalwarts in the state, described Kogi as a PDP state.
“Give us your support, the nightmare that was the challenge of the iron and steel company, Ajaokuta in Kogi State will be a thing of the past.
“I understand the All Progressives Congress came and deceived you in 2015 for your votes only to be put in terrible situations. But I’m assuring you that if you vote for me and PDP, you won’t regret it.
“If you vote for me this time, the comatose Ajaokuta Steel Complex and other challenges of yours will be things of the past.
“I want to assure you that there will be no more salary arrears and will give jobs and businesses, to do away with idleness and suffering,” he said.
Besides, he said he would put the structure on ground to create jobs and enlarge business community, restating his promise to empower women and youths in the society with $10b to boom the personal income for an enduring economy.
“Spending months without anything after university graduation will be a thing of the past as we intend to invest $10 million to launch young men into enterprises/businesses,” he added.
Atiku also assured the people of his readiness to ensure that the Lokoja Port Authority being handled by National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) is completed for the benefits of the country.
Atiku added that a vote for him would end the incessant strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and incident of salary arrears that enveloped the nation’s university system.
In his speech, the former governors of the state, Messrs Idris Wada and Ibrahim Idris urged the Kogi people to vote for the party, saying that the situation of the state is pathetic due to poor leadership of the APC led government.
“Nigeria is a delicate and dangerous country. We need to elect competent, resourceful and intellectual person to make things work and carry us out of the present trouble the nation found itself. That person is the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who has seen it all,” Wada said.
The rally witnessed the defection of many members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.
They included the former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Simon Achuba and ex-speaker of the state house of assembly, Mr. Imam Alfa and Mr. Yahaya Karaku.
The National chairman of the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu who received the proselytes urged the party members to receive them back into the PDP without discrimination for a resounding victory at the polls.
Achuba who spoke on behalf of the decamped members said they decided to return to the party because the APC failed to fulfil its promises since 2016 to date in the state.
