Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said he would pay attention to insecurity if elected president.
The presidential aspirant said this when he met with the party’s delegates on Monday.
“On arriving here, we flew over large expanses of land, land with agricultural potential. It made me happy as I know we can and will transform Yobe. We will make it a productive state, employ mechanised irrigation, and process sorghum and cotton for local consumption and export.”
“We must utilise our potential as a country to train and employ our youths, deploy modern technology, lower consumer prices, feed our growing population and export finished products. We must also establish commodity exchange boards and consider credit reforms so as to better support our agricultural value chain,” he said.
Speaking on insecurity in the North-East, he said: “I view the issue of insecurity with utmost seriousness and will give it the highest priority in my administration. Our military, police force and security agencies are committed and capable. They have sacrificed much and lost many colleagues in the noble and necessary battle to protect this nation from threats. We must help their brave efforts by further equipping them with high-grade, advanced military/law enforcement assets and by fashioning strategies appropriate for the challenges we face.”
Governor Mai Mala Buni welcomed the APC leader to the state, saying Nigeria’s history is incomplete without him.
Buni said, “The history of democratic struggle in Nigeria cannot be complete without a mention of your tremendous work, from NADECO days to being the last man standing and preventing our nation from being a one-party state.
“For us in Yobe, this is a homecoming. You are here to interface with your brothers and sisters our delegates. Yobe is your home and you are home.”
From Damaturu, Yobe State capital, Tinubu proceeded to Maiduguri, Borno State, to address the APC delegates.
Earlier, Governor Babagana Zulum welcomed him to the Multi-purpose Hall of the Government House, Maiduguri.
Speaking to the delegates, Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to overhauling major sectors of the country towards stabilizing the economy, creating job opportunities, ensuring security and upgrading infrastructure among others.
“We will implement structural, economic and social reforms to lay the foundation for long-term sustainable growth. Industrialisation policies will no longer be confined to the pages of government reports. They will be put into action. My administration will put them into action.” he said.
Former Governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shettima, described Tinubu as a king who has made many kings and as the candidate who is best suited to govern Nigeria at such a pivotal time.
Speaking on Tinubu’s record as an unpaired statesman, Governor Zulum talked about Asiwaju’s long-standing devotion to uniting Nigeria.
On the sidelines of his meeting with delegates in the two states, the APC leader had paid courtesy calls on both the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Hashimi 11 El-Kanemi, and Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, who cut short his visit out of Maiduguri to receive Tinubu.
