Buhari in Edo, says Nigeria is overcoming recession

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday re-assured Nigerians that the country would be great again, adding that it was recovering from its challenges.

The president spoke in Benin City at a rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

He said:  ‎”I assure you that we are going to get out of our economic doldrums. We are almost out of our institutional problems and we are going to make Nigeria great again, as the people are going to be very proud.

“Our size and resources would not be for nothing, because we would continue to grow.”

He urged the people to vote for the APC and the governorship candidates, Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Phillip Shaibu.

Buhari continued: “Governor Adams Oshiomhole has reminded you of what we have gone through since 1999-2015. I am pleased to be here and I am grateful to him for inviting me, to identify with him in rehabilitating schools and building roads and hospitals.

“We have seen development more than what it used to be when Edo State was created. It was at that time that I met the Oba of Benin, who has joined his ancestors and I saw a man with great integrity. There is no doubt that there is hardly any traditional ruler who is foremost and forthright like he was.”

According to the president:  “I visited the Edaiken of Uselu and Edo people are lucky because as long as Nigeria exists, we would continue to play our role in stabilising the country.

“We are a nation of great human and material resources especially the youths. Please reflect on it and remember what I said some years ago, that there is no other nation like Nigeria. We would remain together as one, because no matter where you go, the colour of your skin would be a problem for you,” he said.

He urged the people to vote for Obaseki, who he described as a seasoned man that would continue to grow the state.
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Buhari’s visit locked down Benin City as early as 7:00 a.m following the mass entry of visitors who came to attend the party’s grand rally.

Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, his counterpart in Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode, Kaduna State (Nasir El-Rufai) and those in Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kano, Kastina states accompanied the president on the visit.

Others on the entourage were Ministers of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachukwu, Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

Past and serving senators, members of the House of Representatives members, party leaders and members of the National Working Committee, including ‎Senators Domingo Obende, Ehigie Uzamere, Francis Alimekhena and several other personalities graced the event.
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Oshiomhole urged the people to vote for the APC as a way of punishing the PDP for their sins against the people and the state.
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While introducing the APC candidates, the National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, urged the people to appreciate the development of Oshiomhole in the last eight years by voting for the party.
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On his part, Obaseki said Buhari’s victory in the 2015 general election prompted him to run for the office of governor.

‎He assured the people that his vision for the Edo people is genuine and his promises would be fulfilled.

The Lagos State governor, who was the chairman of the committee, urged the people to vote for the APC.

He said: “‎Edo state is the heart beat of the south-south region if not Nigeria. Presently the state is without any controversy and has witnessed the best development in the last seven and half years.”