BUHARI WOOS NDIGBO,UNFOLDS AGENDA FOR SOUTH EAST

Gen. Buhari

Buhari woos Ndigbo, unfolds agenda for S’East

The presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next month’s election, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari, yesterday rolled out  his plan for the Southeast if he emerges victorious.

Top on the list are road construction, employment, regular power supply and fixing ecological problems.

General Buhari visited Abia and Ebonyi states where he reeled out what he has in stock fot the zone.

Addressing supporters at Etche Road Primary School play field in Aba, Abia State, the APC candidate said the Southeast would be accorded a prime of place in the provision of electricity as part of the strategy to boost its economy.

Acknowledging the enterprise of the people of the zone, he pledged financial assistance for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) to enable entrepreneurs grow their businesses and, by extension, the national economy.

He also said that as a means of diversifying the economy, following the fall in oil price, he would give maximum support to the agric and mining sectors.

He said: “The main concern of the APC is to make sure that there are no idle able-bodied persons roaming the streets and becoming touts. We want to encourage the financial institutions to empower the small scale industrialists by giving soft credits.

“I assure you that in spite of the fall in the price of petroleum, the APC will look for and employ qualified, competent, patriotic Nigerians to manage our ministries so that competent and qualified Nigerians will get jobs and opportunity to perform.”

Speaking at another rally in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State, Gen. Buhari promised to end the importation of rice and other food items into the country, if elected president.

He called Ebonyi one of Nigeria’s food baskets ,and said: “If your farmers are properly empowered, we don’t need to import rice into the country again.”

He added: “Everybody knows the ingenuity of the Igbo man. We will empower you to do more in this area by providing constant electricity to the zone and the entire country. We are going to make this country secure and, God willing, we are going to ensure that this is done.

“Education will be given the biggest priority because it is the biggest capital you can give to the individuals. When you educate them, they can take care of themselves appropriately”

Former Governor of old Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said the PDP has failed to keep to its election promises of creating jobs for the people and solving the electricity problems bedeviling the country.

He promised that APC will fulfill promises that PDP has failed to do, including free education, payment of adequate wages to the people and welfare packages for the aged.

He said: “APC is out to show that the problems confronting the country can be solved. To provide security for the country in such a way that you can sleep with your two eyes closed.”

National Chairman of APC, Dr Odigie Oyegun, described the reception by the people of the Southeast as wonderful.

He urged the people of Ebonyi State to join the change train to transform the country.

He said: “Buhari is one Nigerian that believes in the people of the South East and their ability to innovate, and he is going to give you all the necessary infrastructure to industrialise the zone and make the country one of the most industrialised nations in the world.”