The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in next months polls, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), today commenced his campaign in Port Harcourt,Rivers State.
Dressed in a typical Niger Delta attire, Buhari told the mammoth crowd at the Adokiye Amieseimaka Stadium that he has the energy to lead at 72.
Dressed in a typical Niger Delta attire, Buhari told the mammoth crowd at the Adokiye Amieseimaka Stadium that he has the energy to lead at 72.
Buhari flanked by Amaechi and Governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun
Buhari flanked by Amaechi, River state APC governorship candidate, Hon. Dakuku Peterside ,Governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun and deputy director-general of Buhari/Osinbanjo campaign, Semator Olorunimbe Mamora
The rally which was anchored by house of representatives member, Hon Abike Dabiri and others was beamed live on national TV and some private stations to millions of Nigerians.
He said, “I am Muhammadu Buhari, and I am running for President to change this country, for good. The problems facing Nigeria are insecurity and economy, made worst by corruption.” He also promised to lead ”One Indivisible Nigeria”
He continued, “The fundamental issues facing this country is insecurity and the problem of economy which is being made worse by corruption. I assure you that we are going to finally assemble a competent team of Nigerians to efficiently manage this country.
“I am appealing to you, the damage that has been done to this country is great. The level of unemployment, the level of insecurity is intolerable. The damage has been done, it will take time, patience and support from you to ensure that we succeed.”
Present at the rally were big wigs of the opposition party which includes Buhari’s running mate for the election, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, former chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun state, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of old Anambra state, Chief Ogbonnanya Onu, former governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva, governors on the platform of the party, senators and house representative members of the party among others.
Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who was missing at the rally, however lend his support to the Buhari team by tweeting:
PM News reports that some masked gunmen in the early hours of today shot at APC supporters from the Khana Local Government, Ogoni around Saakpenwa axis.
The Rivers State Governor and chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Chibuike Amaechi, in his opening speech, accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of masterminding the attack.
“They have guns, but we have God and people. We’ll confront them with our determination for change,” he said.
Also, the Rivers state APC received 1,000 PDP members who defected to the party at the rally.
The vote of thanks was by the Governor of Lagos who encouraged the citizens to get their voters card in order to be able to cast their votes during the election.
Conspicuously missing at the rally was national leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
