Tinubu Flags off Presidential Campaign in Jos, Describes 2023 Election as Fight for Soul of Nigeria

•Says he won’t dwell on fruitless past or tomorrow of fantasies like other candidates

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has described next year’s presidential election scheduled to hold on February 25, 2023 as a fight to define the soul of the nation.

Tinubu stated this Tuesday during the flag off of the party’s presidential campaign held at the Jos Township Stadium.

President Muhammadu Buhari and National Chairman of APC , Senator Abdullahi Adamu, led governors of the party, Ministers, National Working Committee (NWC) members and other party leaders to Jos, Plateau State to flag off the campaign.

The flag off also had in attendance Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Prof. Ben Ayade (Cross River), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).

Others are: Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, former Bauchi governor Mohammed Abubakar, former Ekiti governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Borno, Modu Ali-Sheriff, and former Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, , Wife of APC Presidential Candidate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the Vice Presidential Candidate Shettima, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of Governor Sanwoolu of Lagos, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwoolu, ministers and members of APC National Working Committee.

Tinubu in a statement issued Tuedday by his Media Office and signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman, said if elected president,  unlike other parties who are either dwelling on a fruitless past or a tomorrow of fantasies, his administration hopes to chart the course of progress already started by the Buhari administration. 

His words: “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 rantings 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 toward our approved  destination —  an even better Nigeria. This is what the election is truly about,” he added. 

To ensure overall energy security and resource mobilisation for the country, 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.

The presidential candidate commended the Buhari administration for the massive development in the agricultural, infrastructure and power sectors in the last eight years.

Tinubu noted that these foundations now require more builders to make it a massive structure, calling on all Nigerians to embark on the journey with him. 

He added: “Here, I thank president Buhari again because he has truly established a strong foundation for the things we are now to do. Truly the foundation has been set. It is now time to call more builders forward to further construct the national edifice that will be our best home. We, the APC and the Tinubu/Shettima team, seek to make permanent a covenant of progressive good governance with the people,” he said.   

Tinubu noted that under this hopeful pact, he would assemble the best team and  build on progress in the agricultural sector by establishing commodity boards guaranteeing minimal prices for strategic crops, while also promising to create agricultural and industrial hubs in all zones. 

According to him, “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.” 

Tinubu noted that his government would continue the infrastructural expansion.

He 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.”

The APC flag bearer took time to praise President Muhammadu Buhari for his presence at the flagoff and the great foundation he has laid for the nation, which his incoming administration plans to build on. 

“I am deeply honoured for the presence of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. As campaign chairman, he promised to lead from the front. A man of his word, President Buhari has done what he said and more. 

“Mr. President, you have provided exceptional service to the nation and party. Your contributions are both positive and enduring. When the history of this period is objectively written, it will smile upon you and treat you with utmost kindness,” he added. 

Earlier, Tinubu and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on Gbong Gwon Jos, Jacob Buba, who described both Tinubu and his running mate as tested people who have records of achievements, adding that what the country needs at this time are tested men.

In his speech, Shettima commended Nigerians for believing in the APC to lead the country to progress after years of backwardness under the PDP administration by declaring that “hope is back.”

He also praised Adamu for leading the APC and steadying the ship of the party since assuming office as national chairman. 

He said the campaign was starting in Plateau, a place that properly shows Nigeria’s vast potential. 

Shettima said: “One can see greater prosperity and jobs in an economy humming with activity. From the farmer in the rural area to the city boy in a bustling urban centre, each will have productive work to do and a decent home to return to. 

“One can see a Nigeria where all who want to will be able to build a decent life from the fruits of their individual and collective endeavour.

“From this fine vantage point, we see how far we have come. We also see how far we must go and the road that will take us there.”

While addressing the rally, both the National Chairman of the party and the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum who is also the governor of Kebbi, Bagudu, commended President Buhari for his achievements, saying he would be leaving behind important legacies in democracy, good governance, infrastructure development and economic growth particularly in the area of agriculture and food security.

On his part President Buhari presented the party’s flag to Asiwaju Tinubu to formally present him to Nigerians as the symbol of the party in the coming presidential election.