President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday kicked off his campaign in Uyo where he assured the large crowd of supporters of continuation of the war against corruption and insecurity as well as diversify the economy.
He boasted of the successes he recorded in his three campaign promises he made in 2015 – fight corruption, provide security and improve economy.
“I want anyone to challenge me on these three programmes,’’ President Buhari said.
“When we came to power, Boko Haram was holding 17 local governments in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. But today they are not holding any local government.’’
“I will like those who want to challenge us at any level, at any constituency, to doubt our contribution towards our undertaking,” Buhari said.
“Our population is over 60% of young men, that is 30 years and below. Our main problem is employment. We are encouraging our farmers and we have regained food security.
“I assure you that you will not regret trusting us. We are going to secure this country, we are going to manage it properly. We are going to stop corruption, so you better sweat and work for a living because there is no more handouts.
“I assure you that no Nigerian will regret voting us into office and we will continue to improve the situation, security, economy and fighting corruption.”
The insurgents, he said, have resorted to suicide attack and other methods which he assured Nigerians he would soon stop.
He said that Nigeria was already diversifying its economy and giving priority to agriculture which has started paying off.
The president said that the country was already enjoying some sorts of food security as it had drastically reduced its imports.
The war against corruption, he said, would be intensified.
He explained that a lot of people have been arrested and investigated and a lot of money and property recovered from them.
Buhari said that special account had been opened for recovered funds to easy accountability.
“You will not regret re-electing me,’’ President Buhari said.
Thanking the Akwa Ibom people for the warm reception to kick start the campaign, President Buhari said he would improve on the war on corruption and insecurity as well as build the economy in the interest of the people.
Also speaking at the rally, the APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu told the crowd that President Muhammadu Buhari is building on a new foundation for the youths and elderly people of Nigeria and urged them to vote for their future.
Tinubu explained that for 16 years, PDP built Nigeria on a foundation of corruption, underdevelopment, and darkness.
He said that APC was re-directing Nigeria and committed to diversify the economy.
The former Lagos state governor said that APC came into power at the time Nigerians needed change from corruption, change from ineptitude, change from laziness.
Adams Oshiomhole, APC National Chairman, in his short speech reported that in the last 48 hours, the PDP has been trying smear the character of President Buhari but explained that Nigerians “know who Buhari is and know who PDP is’’.
“PDP’s Presidential candidate cannot speak in some parts of the world but Buhari will,’’ he said.
With NAN reports