From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday literally bombed former Vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party counterpart, Mr Peter Obi.
Tinubu, at a meeting with Niger Delta monarchs and leaders ay Gbaramatu, Delta State dismissed both candidates.
Speaking on the presidential election to his hosts, Tinubu had downplayed the presidential ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
Making mockery of Atiku, Tinubi said they should go and tell the PDP presidential candidate to go and rest.
“There are few of them that are also running. One says he is Atiku, how many times has he been running? He is always on the run. Peoples should tell him to go and rest.”
Tinubu who spoke in pidgin English took a swipe at the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi accusing him of dishing out wrong statistics.
“The other one…. that one think na statistics we go chop. He lies with arithmetic that no Indian can solve. To mention his name is a disgrace. Wrong arithmetic, wrong statistics, wrong mathematics. You need honesty, the man who knows the road. That is me.”
He was also said to have met with former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo at Oporoza, the ancestral headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
He promised to engage in regular consultations with Niger-Delta leaders to facilitate the formulation of policies and initiatives that will enhance the region’s development.
He spoke in the presence of full compliment of traditional rulers from the kingdom led by the Pere of Gbaramotu Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Oboro Gbaraun II.
At the meeting, the APC presidential candidate bagged the second traditional title in two days- the ‘Iyelawei’ of Gbaramotu- meaning the torchbearer of the kingdom.
Receiving Asíwájú Tinubu in his palace, the Pere of Gbaramotu urged Tinubu, if elected, to ensure the establishment of a deep sea port in Gbaramotu, industrial park in Ogidigben and good roads and bridges leading into the kingdom.
In his response, Asíwájú Tinubu promised to work to speed up the development of the region, saying he would engage in regular consultations with the leaders to emplace initiatives and projects that would help the region.
“I’m one of you. My wife is a daughter of the Niger Delta. Your in-law is also your son.
He said he was aware the Warri- Escravos/Gbaramotu road had been awarded, pledging to ensure the completion of the road by getting the contractor involved to deliver on the project.
He also said if elected, the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Development Commission will serve the full purpose for which they were established.
Tinubu was accompanied to the kingdom by the Deputy Senate President and APC governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Mai Mala Buni of Kano and Yobe states, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources Timiprey Sylva, Minister of State, Labour Festus Keyamo and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Dimeji Bankole.
Others on the entourage included former Governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon, former Minister of State, Niger Delta, Elder Orubebe, APC Chairman in Delta State, Elder Sobotie and a party chieftain in the state, Ayiri Emami.
Tompolo, whose oil pipeline surveillance contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was recently endorsed by the Senate is a rallying point for ex-militant leaders and several youths groups among the Ijaws in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states.
Tinubu as part of efforts to galvanise support for his presidential project had in September met with ex-militants on the Presidential Amnesty Programme where he assured them that he would sustain the programme if elected as President.