President Muhammadu Buhari was among the dignitaries at the kickoff of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jos, Plateau State yesterday when its presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Mr. Bola Tinubu, rounded off his speech with a prayer for the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Also present at the event were Tinubu’s running mate, Mr. Kashim Shettima and over 20 governors elected on the platform of the APC and many other party chieftains who flew into Jos in more than 30 private and chartered jets to witness the presidential campaign inauguration.
While ending his address, Tinubu slipped and chanted “God Bless PD…” and quickly reverted to “APC”.
“God bless Nigeria; God bless PD-APC,” he said.
The video clip immediately went viral as Tweeps shared it on Twitter.
Earlier in his speech, Tinubu said if elected president, unlike other parties, which, according to him, were either dwelling on a fruitless past or tomorrow’s fantasies, his administration hoped to continue from where the Buhari administration would leave off.
“February 2023 is more than an election. It is a fight to define the soul of the nation and to determine our collective fate. Do we adhere to the ideals of broadly shared prosperity, competence, peace, justice and compassion toward all? Or do we toss these ideals away, lashing ourselves to the divisive politics of the past or to those whose ranting show they cannot distinguish between fact and fantasy.
“One party wants to take us back to a past that never should have been. Another party wants to take us to a past that resides only in its candidate’s head. Neither the old road nor the fantasy road is good enough. Instead, we forge the wiser path towards our approved destination – an even better Nigeria. This is what the election is truly about,” he declared.
The APC standard bearer further said serving Nigeria is what he had always done and when elected, he would do more to build the economy, provide jobs, power, security, agricultural production and processing as well as the industrial revolution.
“We hereby reaffirm our commitment to progressive good governance and to the fruits that such governance can bring to this nation. February 2023 is more than an election. It is a fight to define the soul of the nation and to determine our collective fate.
“Do we adhere to the ideals of broadly shared prosperity, competence, peace, justice and compassion toward all? Or do we toss these ideals away, lashing ourselves to the divisive politics of the past or to those whose ranting show they cannot distinguish between fact and fantasy?’’
On energy security and resource mobilistion, Tinubu promised to continue the ongoing exploration works in all frontier basins and especially speed up the development of the commercial oil find in Gombe/ Bauchi states.
“Most importantly, I will give utmost priority to extinguishing terrorists and violent criminals. We shall augment our military, police and security personnel while providing them with better tactical communication and mobility. We will employ hi-tech aerial surveillance to track and attack these menaces.
“These evil forces seek to destroy our democratic way of life. I have news for them. We will defeat their destructive way of life. They shall be utterly defeated and vanquished from our soil.”
He assured that he would assemble the best team and build on the progress in the agriculture sector by establishing commodity boards, guaranteeing minimal prices for strategic crops, while also promising to create agricultural and industrial hubs in all zones.
“You shall also see water catchment and irrigation systems to help farming while mitigating the dire effects of drought and flooding brought about by a changing climate. We will encourage urban employment through a national industrial plan that employs a series of measures, including tax and employment credits,” he said.
On insecurity plaguing the country, Tinubu said: “Most importantly, I will give utmost priority to extinguishing terrorists and violent criminals. We shall augment our military, police and security personnel while providing them with better tactical communication and mobility. We will employ hi-tech aerial surveillance to track and attack these menaces.
“These evil forces seek to destroy our democratic way of life. I have news for them. We will defeat their destructive way of life. They shall be utterly defeated and vanquished from our soil.”
For his part, Buhari said while handing the APC flag to Tinubu that the country needs a man like him (Tinubu) and urged the party faithful to campaign on issues and the abilities of the candidate and his running mate, Shettima.
The president reiterated his earlier assurances that he would be at the forefront of the campaign because of his belief in the party.
He said only APC could lead Nigeria to the fulfilment of its historic purpose and working together with the leadership of the party, the campaign council, and its teeming supporters, the goal would be achieved.
