The APC standard bearer spoke on his plans for the Southeast at a rally held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, where he also promised to develop the mineral resources in the region, including coal, to propel its economy recovery.
At the rally, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is the Campaign Coordinator for Southeast, urged the people of the five states to shun ethnic and regional politics.
The rally was attended by APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Enekwu, who represented National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, APC National Women Leader Beta Edu, Kashim Imam, Nweze Gbazuagu, former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Onyeabor Ihejirika (rtd), Andy Uba, Osita Izunaso, Chief Emma Eneukwu, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; former APC presidential aspirant, Mr. Nick Jackrich; Nkeiruka Onyejiocha; Abia and Ebonyi governorship candidates, Ikechi Emenike, Francis Nwifuru and former deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
Urging the people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Tinubu said the next election will liberate and rekindle hope in a brighter future.
He said: “If you elect me as your president, we will work together. We will create industrial hub in Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Anambra States.
“We will also create two seaports in Port Harcourt and establish fabricating engines.
“Enugu will become an industrial hub, thereby creating jobs for the youths and all of you. You have incredible mineral resources to propel the economic recovery of the Southeast. You have an agricultural power that can produce many cash crops.
“Also, assembling plants can be created with flourishing businesses. All you need to do is to partner with the Federal Government.”
Tinubu added: “My people of Enugu State, nothing is impossible unless you don’t put your mind into it. Together, nothing can stop us if we are determined.
“We will make Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Anambra States and the entire Southeast a regional business hub, the manufacturing centre of Nigeria. It is very possible.
“Don’t wait for the white man to do this job for us. We’re brilliant enough, we’re great thinkers, we can fabricate, we can develop and we can mould; we can build engines and we can turn our coal to industry.
“In Britain and America, they are still using their coal to fire turbine and generating electricity for their industries. We have the right to do so.
“Be bold Nigeria. Wake up Africa. Let’s use what we have to develop our country. Let’s turn our coal to money. Let’s turn our gas to money.
“Now they say the price of crude oil is falling. Whatever it is, I am a realist, pragmatic, authentic, a blessed and brilliant man, a thinker. So, let’s use what we have to develop our country.
“We can have agro processing centres. We have over 200 million people to feed. We are not going to starve to death.
“I lived abroad for about 17 years. I’ve managed their businesses. Let us take care of our home. We can do it. Nigeria is highly blessed by God. For us to achieve Nigeria of our dream, you have to be ready to make sacrifices and with strong determination, we can achieve greater things.”
Tinubu chided the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for seeking Southeast’s votes, saying that for 16 years, the party mismanaged the resources meant for the region and the country.
He stressed: “Today, APC has fulfilled what PDP could not do in 16 years for the Southeast. In 2001, they came here to do foundation laying for the Second Niger Bridge, but eventually did not do anything. They still went back when they were seeking for votes. Yet, they did nothing. It was APC government that came, promised and completed that bridge. It will soon be commissioned and the era of staying three days on the road during the festive seasons would be a thing of the past. I’m sure your joy will know no bounds.
“PDP has no shame. They deceived Peter Obi to leave APGA to join them and now he has joined Labour Party. Now, they have abandoned him.
“For 16 years, they (PDP) didn’t do anything for Southeast. They misappropriated the monies meant for projects and accused themselves. You know who I’m talking about. Obasanjo and Atiku. That’s the reason for their unending quarrel. Don’t believe them anymore. They have been fooling you for a long time.”
Tinubu, who commended members of the APC in Enugu State for respecting and renewing the hope of the party and Nigeria, assured them that they would not be left behind if they continued to support him.
He promised to work with the Enugu APC governorship candidate, Uche Nnaji, saying: “It is only when you vote for me and make him the governor, we will share in the larger gain of Nigeria success.”
Tinubu urged the people to get their PVCs to vote and change the course of the nation’s future.
He said: “Don’t throw away your votes. Shine your eyes, beat your chest, sacrifice in the sun, be in the rain. Get your PVC because it is your way to success, freedom and prosperity. It is only when you invest that you can harvest.”
Uzodimma said Ndigbo would be more relevant during Tinubu’s presidency, urging them to be part of his victory.
He said: “Our visit to Enugu is very significant in the sense that there’s a global revolution politically. Over the years, we’ve done the politics the way we thought was the best way of politics with little or no research and strong idea. We just followed without any results.
“But after 2015 election and what came out of it and with the events of these past seven and half years, it became very clear that there is need for Ndigbo to renew their hope.
“We looked at the isolation politics as a primitive way of politics. We need politics that will give us results. We need politics that will take care of the elites and the masses, particularly the masses.
“We need leaders who are compassionate, who will not only think for the elite, but the masses.
“It is of cardinal necessity for Ndigbo and indeed, Nigerians, to embark on proper reintegration of national politics to be part of national cohesion and become participants of national politics.
Describing APC as a solid party, Uzodimma said: “Today, from the Southern Nigeria, we have one of our best and brightest emerging as the candidate of the ruling party. A ruling party is a vehicle whose tyres are strong. You don’t need to push it to move. Am I going to come down from the vehicle that has tyres and enter the vehicle that has no tyres even if you push, it may not move.
“Ndigbo must forgive the past, forgive themselves, leave the bush and see the road. We cannot be more intelligent than the entire population.
“We’re interested in partnerships that are genuine.”
Umahi said Southeast would surprise Nigerians with their votes for APC and Tinubu.
He expressed happiness at the level of mobilisation of the crowd, urging them to work even harder to reintegrate Igbos into the centre “so that we can boldly go to Jagaban when he wins.
“Time has gone when we used to lag behind. APC gave us Second Niger Bridge.
“Anyone doing permutation and saying that APC will not win in the Southeast is living in the past.
“But, after the election, Southeast will be declared the wisest region in Nigeria. We will use our votes to surprise the entire nation. No more crying of marginalisation.
“We are not looking for 60 per cent. The least we can ask for is 90 percent.
“It was during Asiwaju’s leadership in Lagos that Igbo’s prosperity blossomed. He will still do the same as Nigeria’s president.”
The governorship candidate of the party in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji said that they were determined to get more than 30 per cent votes for APC presidential candidate in Enugu State.
“That’s the promise I’m giving Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Hope Uzodimma. We’re on a rescue mission which will rescue Enugu from the political and economic quagmire Enugu State has been entangled in over the years,” said Nnaji.
He added: “The crowd you are seeing here is not a rented crowd. The people you are seeing here are members of APC in the state. If the people here are 200,000 , they are registered members of our party.”