Jonathan’s problem personal, not generational, says Tinubu

Jonathan’s problem personal, not generational, says Tinubu

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All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan should consider his deficiencies as
his personal failure and that of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said it amounted to an error for the President to generalise the shortcomings
as generational failure.
Dr. Jonathan at the opening of his campaign last Thursday that his generation
had failed Nigeria and that he would address the youth.
Tinubu said the APC would sweep the “recklessness and filth” of the PDP next
month at the general elections.
He called on “Nigerians to rise to the challenge of voting the ruling PDP out of
office.”
Tinubu spoke at the campaign inauguration of the party’s governorship candidate
in Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambawal, who is the House of
Representatives Speaker.
He said: “If the president doesn’t know the history and responsibilities of his
office, he should quit the office and go back home.”
Two serving governors and three of their former colleagues were in Sokoto, the
seat of the Caliphate to add glamour to the campaign of Tambawal and his
running mate, Ahmed Aliyu.
According to Tinubu, “the APC is the cure to the disease affecting the country,”
noting that the party was fast growing in the Northwest and other parts of the
country.
The former governor went on: “Our great party (APC) is growing larger and larger
by the day throughout Nigeria and especially in the North West.”
Describing Tambuwal as a great politician, Tinubu maintained that APC and
Nigerians were proud of his sense of resilience and commitment to the progress
of the nation’s democracy.
His words: “This is a great day for a great campaign of a great man. We are
launching the spirit of change and development in Sokoto for all APC candidates
in the state.”
He described the APC as a baby of yesterday which has grown to political
maturity.
“We will not let it die prematurely but to nurture it to the benefit of Nigerians who
are clamouring for change. APC is the cure for the headache we are having right
now”, he pointed out.
Asiwaju, urged Nigerians to appreciate Tambuwal as a loyal and very committed
individual to the mission and progress of the country.
He urged the people of Sokoto to overwhelmingly support the course for change
for continued transformation.
Presenting the Speaker before a crowd of party faithful, who thronged the Sokoto
Trade Fair venue of the event on behalf of the party’s National Chairman, Chief
John Odigie Oyegun, former interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi
Akande, described Nigeria as a great country with great people of great time.
Akande said: “Wamakko is a great man who is to be succeeded by a greatman
(Tambuwal). On behalf of the National Chairman of the party, I have the privilege
and honour to present to you Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as APC gubernatorial
candidate at this campaign flag off ceremony.”
In his remarks, Tambuwal promised to consolidate the works of his predecessor if
given the mandate. He explained that he would run a transparent government
based on the leadership principles of the founding fathers of the Sokoto
Caliphate.
He condemned the calls for an interim government, describing such as
unconstitutional.
The Speaker said: “We and the generality of Nigerians are not disposed to the
unconstitutional option. We are ready for free, fair and credible elections that will
provide an enabling environment for the benefit of our people and dear nation.
“APC shall emerge under free and fair contest for the national leadership which
will In sha Allah be headed by a fearless, committed, credible and disciplined
leader in Buhari.”
Earlier, APC Northwest zonal Vice Chairman, Inuwa Abdulkadir, said the era of
backwardness would soon be history, urging Nigerians to use their votes as
necessary weapons to install a progressive government.
He disclosed that the APC has in the last few weeks been experiencing the influx
of new members from the PDP.
“This development is apt and will help our mission and vision for the country in
fighting insurgency, insecurity among other grey areas of challenges when we get
the mandate to form government at the centre”, he said.
Also speaking, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, noted that APC was
admiring good governance in line with its principles of giving Nigeria and Nigerians
the desirable leadership.
“We are confident that Tambuwal will embrace the qualities of Wamakko and
ensure result-oriented drive for the people of the state”, he said.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State had earlier described Tambuwal as a
committed agent of change, who stood his grounds against the antics of the
ruling PDP to shortchange Nigerians.
Oshiohmole said: “Edo people are proud of your strength and vision for a new
Nigeria. They want Sokoto people to unite and vote Wamakko and Tambuwal.”
Former Governors Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara) and Muhammadu Adamu Aliero
(Kebbi), spoke in the same vein. They said Nigerians should support and embrace
APC as a formidable political tool for change, adding that” APC is now the choice
of an average Nigerian and this is not the first time an opposition party in Sokoto
under Wamakko is winning elections.
“The choice of Tambuwal is for a responsive continuity and spread of
development as does his outgoing leader (Wamakko),” they said.
The duo noted that the country was in a quagmire following what they described
as “absolute deterioration and insecurity.”
They said: “Wamakko has succeeded twice in shaming his predecessor and it will
again repeat itself.
“We are urging you to use the power of your votes to fight PDP out of office. PDP
is a cirlce for rigging elections.”
They urged the electorate to protect their votes.
Describing the strength and unity upon which APC was built to rescue Nigerians,
the state Acting Chairman, Alhaji Usman Damadamin Isa, said the party was for
all Nigerians and devoid of religious, ethnic and personal sentiments.
“I therefore call on the people of Sokoto state and Nigerians to turnout enmasse
and cast their votes for the party. We should use our votes to sweep off PDP”, he
advised.
Those who honoured Tambuwal at the campaign launch include: former Deputy
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Usman Bayero Nafada, Deputy Minority
Leader, Suleiman Kawu Sumaila and other party leaders.