In Ekiti State, yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari confessed it is a herculean task fighting corruption in a country such as Nigeria.

The president made the open confession when he addressed the mammoth crowd of party supporters and admirers who gathered at the 12,000 capacity Ekiti Parapo Pavilion venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in the state.

Regardless, Buhari vowed he would never give up in ridding the country of corruption; in line with the promise he made to Nigerians in 2015; to banish corruption in the land.

Present at the rally were his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti, the host), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Ibikule Amosun (Ogun), former APC interim national  chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Mr. Olusola Oke, among others.

At the rally, some members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and

chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also seized the opportunity to formalise their defection to the APC.

The lawmakers, who were led by Speaker Ebenezer Alagbada were Cecelia Dada representing Ilejemeje Constituency and Olanrewaju Olayanju, from Emure Constituency.

Earlier, the president said:  “We are fighting corruption but it has not been easy. But we told the security agencies to keep tab on those on our watchlist and ensure no stone is left unturned to ensuring that those who have cases to answer doe not escape justice.

Buhari had earlier met with Ekiti Obas, where he pleaded with them to support his re-election bid and government for sustainable peace in the state, and beyond .

His deputy, Osinbajo, who addressed the crowd in Yoruba, said: “A sum of $383 billion was gotten from oil (sales) between 2010 and 201; during Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. That was when we had the highest (revenue) but nothing was done with it.

“If that money had been utilised judiciously, all the roads, rail lines and employment we are creating would have long been in place for Nigerians. Buhari built three refineries as minister of Petroleum Resources; during the military era. No government has ever added one, not even during the 16 years of PDP

“Don’t let them deceive you, vote for a president you can trust; that is president Buhari.”

On his part, Fayemi promised that “our president will get 90 percent of the votes that would  be cast on February 16.

“The government  is planning to dualise Ado-Akure Road, complete the federal housing  units, the federal secretariat and the Lagos-Kano rail line, so, we have no option than to return president Buhari because Ekiti people are progressives.”

Speaking during the presidential campaign rally in Ado-Ekiti, Buhari said the APC-led Federal Government is committed to extending the newly redesigned Lagos-Kano railway line to pass through Ekiti State as a way of boosting the economy of the State.

Buhari added that the fight against corruption is also ongoing to ensure that the nation’s resources are judiciously used.

He thanked the people of the state for coming out en masse to welcome him and urged them to vote for him and the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

In his remarks, Fayemi urged Ekiti and Yoruba, in general, to rally support for Buhari because “the South West are known as progressives and will always support the vice president who is their kinsman.”

Meanwhile, Fayemi’s wife,  Erelu Bisi, has urged APC women in the State to continue to mobilise for the party; ahead of the elections.

Erelu Fayemi said this when she inaugurated the 122 canvassers for the re-election of Buhari/Osinbajo in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, and added that the re-election of Buhari/Osinbajo is a task that must be done.