By Chukwudi Nweje
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, punctured claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer, Bola Tinubu, that he built Lagos.
The former vice presdent, who spoke at the PDP presidential campaign rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos State said contrary to claim by Tinubu who governed Lagos between 1999 and 2007, the Federal Government constructed the major roads and infrastructure landmarks in the former nation’s capital. He charged the people of the state to rise and take their destinies into their hands by voting to move from a family government to a people’s government.
“I came to Lagos in 1969, there was only one bridge, the Carter Bridge built by the Europeans. There was no Eko Bridge, there was no Third Mainland Bridge and there was no Tafawa Belewa Square, many of you were not born by then.
“I want to tell you, and you can go and check, this is a fact. The Federal Government rebuilt the Carter Bridge, the Federal Government built the Eko Bridge, the Federal Government built the Third Mainland Bridge, the Federal Government built Agege Motor Road, built Ikorodu Road and all the major roads in Lagos.The Federal Government built the bridges and all the major roads connecting Lagos Island to Lagos Mainland. The All Progressives Congress (APC) Government did not develop Lagos, they are lying.”
Atiku said he would restructure Nigeria by giving more powers to states and local governments, privatise the refineries and raise $10 billion for youth empowerment in small and medium scale enterprises.
“I am going to set aside $10 billion for the empowerment of youths in small and medium enterprises. You may want to ask where the money will come from? By the time I privatise Warri refinery, Port Harcourt refinery and other dormant refineries the money will come.”
He charged the people of Lagos State to rise and take their destinies into their hands by voting out the APC government in the state.
He said the last 23 years of APC administration in Lagos has been a family affair rather than a people’s government.
“People of Lagos State, it is time for you to take your destinies into your hands and liberate yourselves from a family government to a people’s government. In the last 23 years Lagos has been ruled by a family government, it is time for you to elect a people’s government, and the people’s government is going to be led by Jandor.”
Also speaking, Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa said Atiku remained the only presidential candidate accepted in all the geo-political zones of the country.
Chairman of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign council and Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, flayed the APC for mismanaging the economic gains achieved by the PDP government and promised that an Atik’s presidency would restore Nigeria on the path of economic growth.
National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, asked the people to vote for the PDP at both the governorship and presidential elections and added that restoration of Lagos and Nigeria should go together.
“We are going to liberate Lagos State from the hands of those who do not want progress. Liberating Lagos is liberating Nigeria because Lagos is important to Nigeria.”
Speaking, Mrs. Titilayo Atiku Abubarka said Nigerians had suffered enough under the APC government. She said with Atiku as president the nation would regain its lost glory. She also urged the people to vote for Jandor and Funke Akindele as governor and deputy governor of the state under the PDP platform.