Atiku in Jigawa, promises revival of farming, trading, re-opening of borders

*As Ayu predicts over 1.5m votes for Ayu in Jigawa

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has assured the indigenes and residents of Jigawa State that farming and trading, which are the main occupations of the people of the state, will be revived, if he is elected as the next President of the country.
This is as the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu has predicted that Atiku Abubakar will get more than 1.5m votes in Jigawa State in the next week’s presidential election.
Atiku, Ayu and others spoke on Wednesday in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, while addressing the PDP presidential campaign rally, which was attended by several chieftains and members of the main opposition party.
The PDP presidential flag bearer and former Vice President of the country pledged that if voted in as the next President of Nigeria, his administration will give assistance to the people of the state so that they will be able to par take in agriculture and also in business.
He similarly assured that his administration will re-open the nation’s borders in the interest of trade and business development.
In the words of Atiku, “This is one of the most exciting crowds we have ever seen in our presidential campaign. I am indeed delighted for the show of love to the PDP.
“I promise you that farming and trading, which are the main occupations of the people of Jigawa, will be revived.
“We are prepared to give you assistance so that you can par take in agriculture and also in business.
“I promise you that we will open the borders by God’s grace.
“We will also revive farming, cattle rearing and businesses.
“We will also ensure that our children go back to school and there wont be teachers strikes.
“I will set aside $10 billion to assist youths and women especially. If you vote for our party I promise to fulfill my promise to you”, he said.
While also speaking at the rally, the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Ayu said, Jigawa is PDP and PDP is Jigawa. Whatever development you have seen here is because of PDP. APC is not a party for development. It is a party of deceiving people and telling lies.
“I am happy that all of you came here today (Wednesday) with one purpose that in 10 days’ time (February 25), you will elect a new President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That man is Atiku Abubakar.
“Therefore, in 10 days time, all of you should come out and vote for President Atiku Abubakar.
“After you have done that, you will vote for somebody who will work with Atiku as your governor, Mustapha Sule Lamido.
“I can see more than 1m people in this arena, Atiku Abubakar is going to get more than 1.5m votes in Jigawa”, he said.
Also, the Chairman of PDP presidential campaign council, PCC, and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel stated that Atiku, as the incoming President, has already done an analysis of all the economic strength Jigawa State and what the State has.
According to Governor Emmanuel, “Let me assure you that this international airport, with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you will start doing cargo in and out of this place because the kind of sugar cane that you have here, the sugar that it can produce from Jigawa state can feed the whole of West Africa.
“Jigawa state has spoken. If you give us so much by translating what we are seeing today to votes, then be rest assured that you are going to elect a President who rewards hardwork, who rewards loyalty who rewards partnership.
“What we are seeing today in Jigawa gladdens our heart. Let me also assure you that with the incoming president, he has already done an analysis of all your economic strength and what you have. “Let me assure you that this international airport, with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you will start doing cargo in and out of this place because the kind of sugar cane that you have here, the sugar that it can produce from Jigawa state can feed the whole of West Africa. And I am sure you know what he can make from sugar.
“He (Atiku) is an astute business man, a man who knows so much about business, a man who knows how to turn water to money, a man who knows how to strike the rock and money will come out.
“From what you have, he can give you ethanol, he can give you what can produce yeast and so on, and it will create employment.
“He is going to negotiate a social contract with your youths. Today in Nigeria, our youths can no longer buy motorcycle but with Atiku Abubakar, our economy will bounce back”, the Chairman of the PCC of PDP assured