FROM: PAUL ORUDE, BAUCHI
Social and economic activities came to a standstill in some parts of Bauchi metropolis, in Bauchi State, on Tuesday, following a massive rally in support of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Hundreds of placard-carrying supporters of the President, including women, marched through streets of Bauchi, brandishing brooms, ending their rally at Government House, Bauchi, around two in the afternoon
They were received at Government House on behalf of Governor Mohammed Abubakar, who was away in Saudi Arabia, on Hajj, by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Nadada, in company with the Chief of Staff, Architect Audu Sule Katagum, Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the state, Mohammed Hassan Tilde, among several top government officials.
Daily Sun reports that the Deputy Governor of the state, Nuhu Gidado, was in Abuja on official duties at the time of filing this report.
The Convener of the pro-Buhari rally, Bappa Aliyu Misau, said they staged the rally to let the whole world know that Bauchi would never give up in supporting President Buhari.
Misau, a former member of the state House of Assembly who represented Ciroma constituency said: “We are 100 per cent for Buhari. We defeated the PDP in Bauchi in 2003. In 2007, we lost but Buhari won the state. We also won in 2011. Bauchi gave Buhari more votes than even his home state, Katsina. All this show that we love Buhari”
Misau, who is the Managing Director of Bauchi Fertilizer and Blending Company, added: “We are rallying today to call on our supporters not to relent in praying for Mr. President. He did not forget Bauchi. Today, he gave our son the Group Ming Director of NNPC. Today, action is being taken on oil exploration in our state. He appointed one of our own, Mallam Adamu Adamu as Minister of Education. We are grateful to Mr. President”
Also speaking in front of hundreds of the supporters at Government House, one of the co-conveners and member representing Bauchi Central in the State House OF Assembly, Yakubu Shehu Addullahi, popularly known as Wowo, appreciated the supporters of the President for coming out in large number for the rally.
Wowo said the mammoth supporters at the rally has vindicated Bauchi people love for the president, “I am impressed by this large turnout of Buhari’s supporters has confirmed Bauchi as a place that love Mr Bauchi more than any other state in this country. We urged you to continue to pray for him and pray for our country to get out of recession”
His colleague Abdulhamid Rufai, representing Zungur/Galambi, assured that Buhari would continue to get their support because he is a leader he had given his all in all for Nigeria.
Responding, the SSG thanked God and the conveners of the rally and the supporters for organising the rally and coming out in large numbers.
He said that he spoke with his boss who mandated him to inform them commend them for the peaceful rally and urged them to continue to pray for the president for the president’s health and for the peace and unity of Nigeria.
He said that Buhari tried three times but failed to become president and succeeded because “God wants him to be there. So we must continue to pray to God for him to succeed in leading this country. He has good plans for this country so let us be patient because he will lead us to the promise land. Things will improve” Governor Abubakar said.
The SSG also used the occasion to inform the supporters to always go round and see the good works the governor of the state was doing rather than rely on rumours from opponents’ who see nothing good in the administration.
“As the civil servants, is there any one that has not been paid salary regularly and up to date? The governor has carried out people-oriented policies in the health, education and rural areas. What we need is your prayer and continue support to sustain the peace we enjoy in Bauchi,” Nanada Umar said