From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The APC-PCC has said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would garner enough votes in the South East.

A member of Media and Publicity Directorate of the Council, Dr. George Agbakahi, in a statement, yesterday, countered former secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawal, who had claimed that it would be difficult for Tinubu to make inroads in the region.

Agbakachi, described Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who had accommodated people from different regions especially the South East.

According to him, if Tinubu is elected, interests of Igbo would be respected and protected. He claimed that he is the first and only candidate so far to openly and publicly show some level of concern for the plights of Igbo.

“First and foremost, Senator Tinubu is widely known to be the most welcoming and accommodating Nigerian politician of the modern times.

“As a detribalised leader, he welcomed Igbos and every other willing tribe into Lagos and allowed them to freely do their businesses, develop and lead meaningful lives while he was the state governor.

“He ran an inclusive government and was among the pioneer governors who started appointing non-indigenes as state executives. Numerous Igbos have benefited immensely from such administrative initiatives.

“As a glaring example, he appointed an Igbo man from Anambra State, Ben Akabueze, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State for eight years, (1999-2007).

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“Is this the same man who according to Lawal “sees no need for the igbos?” In fact, to correct his ignorance and ill-feelings, the likes of Mr. Ben Akabueze, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, Hon. Jude Idimogu and many others were launched into prominence through Tinubu’s instrumentality and political wizardry in Lagos in identifying the best brains for the best job irrespective of their ethnic, religious and social background.

“Most of these politicians remain relevant in today’s modern day Nigeria. This is a well calculated effort, not a mistake. At a time in political history, Tinubu also gave solid support to the current Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige to be governor of Anambra State, of which today we all can see it’s yeilded results.

“When elected, Tinubu has indicated that  there will be no discrimination against Igbos as regards appointment and role giving. 

The interests of Ndigbo will be respected and protected. This is a promise he has always kept with so much ease.

“He has also promised massive Infrastructural development in the south East which will include an additional rail corridor, construction of accessible link up roads for ease of movement within the south East states, a new sea port in Calabar which will be most essential to decongest the Apapa (Lagos) port and  to boost commerce in the south East -a very soft landing for igbo businesses to thrive knowing that the south East remains the commercial hub of the Nation and Africa.

“Asiwaju Tinubu has expressed his indepth interest to transform the South East and her business environment.

He has promised to nurture the rich entrepreneurial potential of Ndigbo by championing a course that will bring about developments that are fundamental. Tinubu’s bid to provide soft loans with the lowest possible interest rate to Igbo youths no doubt will harness the untapped potentials in the manufacturing industry and merchandise process of the igbos in no small measure.”

He advised the former SGF “to refrain from playing anti party politics and avoid biting the same finger that fed him because he could be hungry again tomorrow.”