President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Ekiti voters to embrace the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi in the Saturday’s election.
He said that they should not allow themselves to be so demeaned by the concept of stomach infrastructure.
Buhari also dispelled the insinuation by detractors that he had been protecting the killer herdsmen owing to his ethnic affinity with the Fulani, saying he had not failed in his responsibility to provide security for every Nigerian, regardless of race and religion.
This was as the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party, Com. Adams Oshimhole, urged Ekiti electorate to vote Fayemi to bail the state out of poverty being experienced under Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government.
Dignitaries at the event included: Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Bindow Jbrilla, (Adamawa), Kashim Shetima (Borno), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Edo Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shuaib, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Yahaya Bello(Kogi).
Others were: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Ministers of Labour, Chief Chris Ngige, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Abike Dabiri, former Governors Niyi Adebayo, Segun Osoba, Segun Oni, Chief Bisi Akande, among others.
Buhari, while speaking at the mega rally organized to drum support for Fayemi ahead of Saturday said he had initiated 13 federal road intervention projects in Ekiti State since assumption of office, contrary to rumour that he had abandoned the state.
The event was held at the popular Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekit capital city.
The President said despite that Ekiti belonged to the opposition party, his government had not denied Ekiti of any federal benefit since he mounted the saddle of governance.
He added that his government had been working assiduously to stop the rampaging herdsmen and that nothing will be spared to achieve the onerous task of uniting Nigeria and make the citizens enjoy safety.
He said: “I want you to align Ekiti with the change agenda of our government. Since I came on board, I have initiated 13 federal road projects in Ekiti. We have completed the failed portions of the ifaki-Ikole –Omuo road, Ifaki-Ido road, Efon-Iwaraja road, while Ado-Ifaki road has been re-awarded.
“The APC government had also awarded the construction of a federal Secretariat in Ekiti State. We have also extended the National Housing Scheme to Ekiti for the state not to be neglected in the scheme of things.
“Under my government, Ekiti has enjoyed unprecedented federal appointments while people have also benefited from N-Power and intervention funds like bailouts funds despite belonging to opposition.
“So, don’t allow yourselves to be insulted by stomach infrastructure, vote APC on Saturday so that you can grow your own better infrastructures.
“Ekiti people must do the right thing by voting rightly, so that you can reclaim your land and restore you values.
“I hereby present to you Dr. Fayemi , a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development. As A Minister, Dr. Fayemi recorded a lot of laudable achievements . So, don’t waste your , vote APC, vote Fayemi”, Buhari stated.
On the killings across the country, which have been traced to herdsmen, Buhari said: “Some are displaying mischievous attitudes by linking me to killer herdsmen just because I am a Fulani man.”
This is a cheap blackmail that was far from the truth”, he said.
Also speaking, the National leader of the party, Tinubu said the massive looting of the treasury brought about the recession that hit the economy under Buhari.
He urged the people not to be intimidated by the PDP, saying they should come out on the day of election and vote for APC.
Tinubu said, “A vote for Fayemi, is a vote for development and the future of Ekiti. He served as a Minister and President didn’t remove him. He was not sacked, but he only came to Ekiti to help you.
“On Saturday, you are protected. Don’t be intimidated by anybody, this is not like 2014. This time, it is going to be one man, one vote, because Governor Fayose has been making noise that the election has been rigged. APC is a decent party, it won’t rig election they way they did”.
The National Chairman of the party, Oshiomhole accused Fayose of embezzling the N20 billion bailout funds given to the State by President Buhari to pay workers.
He said Fayemi did excellently well as a governor of Ekiti State by bringing finesse to governance, saying time has come for him to reap the fruits of his labour.
The former Edo State Governor added that it was disheartening for governor Fayose to have allegedly pauperized the people, urging the electorate to appropriate their votes wisely for them to get rid of an irresponsible government.
“Fayemi has promised that he will pay the arrears of salaries if elected. He won’t sack anybody, because he is different from Fayose who got N20 billion bailout and pocketed it, rather than paying salaries.
“Fayose, today has offended everybody, He has abused everybody.
“He even gave unlawful orders that shops should be closed down today just to show his hatred for President Buhari. He even manipulated the leaders of commercial drivers not to go to work today just to create obstacles.
“But I want to commend you for defying all these obstacles. Let me also say that any worker or Vice Chancellor or Provost that was victimized by Fayose will be promoted by Fayemi”, he assured.
He said the PDP haf entered into merger deal with other ‘mushroom’ parties to unseat Buhari, saying their gang up against the present government shall go to nullity, describing APC as a performing and solid party.
Speaking in turns, Governors Bagudu, Aregbesola , Amosun, Yari, Ajimobi, Bello and Akeredolu, urged the people to vote APC and join the progressive fold to escape the vicious circle level of poverty.
Fayemi, in his brief comment said candidates of 15 political parties had endorsed him for the Saturday’s contest based on his track records.
“Saturday’s election will be credible, it will be fair, transparent and credible . Nobody will rig because we are contesting based on our track records, which the people said were excellent.
“My concerned in this election is to chase away looters and those pauperizing our people . President Buhari has instructed me to go back and bring transformation back to Ekiti and the task shall be achieved,” he said.
The Senator representing Ekiti Central, Mrs Fatima Raji Rasaki, a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon Olamide Oni and other PDP bigwigs also joined the ruling APC.
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