President Bola Tinubu on Saturday named former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as one of those who created the mess Nigeria finds itself today.
He said his administration has been busy clearing the mess and setting the stage for Nigeria’s leap into prosperity.
The President spoke at the All Progressives Party Presidential rally in Port Harcourt organised by the Nyesom Wike-led Rainbow Coalition.
Tinubu who flew into the Rivers State capital after Friday’s rally in Uyo ,Akwa Ibom State, said Atiku has no moral integrity to criticise his administration.
“Atiku was one of them,” he said of the alleged brains behind Nigeria’s economic woes.
Turning to the huge gathering inside the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium venue of the rally, he said: “Ask him (Atiku) how he built a university while in office as Vice-President, in charge of our economy. Who built the university for him? It’s your money. It’s your effort.”
Atiku, in a swift reaction, last night denied that the university project was commenced during his tenure as vice president.
He said his investment in education predated his swearing in as VP in 1999, although records show that the university took off in 2003.
He served between 1999 and 2007.
President Tinubu said the progress already recorded by his administration is irreversible.
He expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their contribution to his victory in the 2023 presidential election.
His words: “I came purposely to thank you; thank you on behalf of the All Progressives Congress, our party. Your response to our call has been great. I thank you for the last election, 2022-2023. You stooped down to support me and gave me the mandate.”
President Tinubu said he had returned to the state to seek their support for another four years.
He added: “Today again, I return here to say thank you and seek your support for the second term. I’m seeking that support because you believe in me. You believe that I care for you, particularly all of you, the young people.”
The President said the education, welfare and skills development of youths remained central to his administration’s priorities, stressing that the country had entered what he described as a golden age of prosperity.
He recalled that 27 of Nigeria’s 36 states were unable to pay workers’ salaries when he assumed office, adding that his administration has since reversed the situation.
President Tinubu said: “When I took over, 27 out of 36 states were unable to pay salaries. You know what that means; the family dependence, the markets and the population. But ever since, we have reversed the decay. We are on the move for prosperity.”
The President said that the payment of salaries had wider economic implications because of the number of dependants relying on individual wage earners.
The President urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the card as the instrument through which they could determine the country’s political and economic future.
He added: “To the youth of Nigeria, I’m looking at you. This election is about you. It’s not on me. Your future depends on this election.
“This progress has no reverse gear. It is left for you to use the weapon you have, and that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead and collect it.”
The President also highlighted his administration’s efforts to address outstanding pension and gratuity obligations, claiming that retired engineers, welders and teachers were receiving their entitlements.
He said the objective of his economic policies was to ensure that prosperity reached every Nigerian household.
The president said there is no room for the reversal of the progress recorded by his administration in the last three years across the sectors.
He said the steps taken were in the interest of millions of Nigerian youths, urging them to support his re-election during next year’s poll.
The presidential election holds on January 16, 2027 along with the National Assembly polls.
Tinubu said his administration has put the country on the path of prosperity after reversing its years of economic decay, insisting that there would be no turning back on the progress recorded so far.
President Tinubu was full of praise for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for what he called the governor’s maturity and commitment to peace during the political crisis that rocked the state.
The governor and his predecessor had been locked in a standoff that also spread to the state House of Assembly where the majority of the members took sides with the governor.
When the situation appeared to be spiraling out of control, the President in May 2023 declared a six-month state of emergency in the state and suspended the governor and the assembly.
The matter was later resolved and the emergency lifted.
The President said: “I want to thank you specifically for maturity, understanding and respect for the wisdom of elders. When we intervened, you respected our position. You maintained peace. You are a committed democrat.”
He promised the governor that he would “not regret what you have done.”
The President also praised Rivers people for maintaining peace and stability, saying the state had demonstrated the importance of dialogue and reconciliation in resolving political disagreements.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
