Besides, Tinubu insisted that he’s the smartest candidate for the job, the reason for the continuous tons of disparage comments, especially on the state of his health by political opponents.
Tinubu spoke at the weekend in Kano while addressing the business community at a dinner organised by them to present their blueprint to the APC presidential candidate. The meeting was part of Tinubu’s series of engagements with stakeholders in Kano ahead of next year’s election.
Tinubu, who cited how he transformed the geographic architecture and turned around the fortune of Lagos from a N600 million monthly Internal Generated Revenue to a N5 billion monthly, was confident of revamping the economic and commercial status of Kano, if voted as president.
According to him, Nigerians should not be worried about him succeeding, but should rather be assured of economic rejuvenation under his administration. Tinubu confidently believed a vote for him as next president is a gateway to economic performance.
While reassuring the business community of the plan to rebuild the economic value of Kano, the presidential candidate declared that Kano is top most among major economic heartbeats of the nation that can never be underestimated.
“I have pledged to revamp the economy of this country but I doubt if I can do that without Kano, just as it is not possible to create six economic centres in Nigeria without Kano, because Kano and Lagos are bigger successes of Nigeria. The two cities are the consumer powers of the country, if you can produce what they need.
“Kano is very important as a commercial centre of the entire North. So you shouldn’t have invited me for dinner. I should have begged for the dinner. I have listened carefully to your request on the blueprint and I have gotten your endorsement. I can assure you that everything in your blueprint, if I need to utter it, we would call for your representative.
Tinubu further said: “From the days of cola trade till date, Kano people have found a home in Lagos with many settled permanently and established marital tiers. The long connection between Lagos and Kano is cemented by the sheer character between the people of the two cities with accommodation, competition and friendliness.
“Many Kano businesses and businessmen are household names in Lagos, the like Dangote, BUA, Dantata, Azman, AA Rano and many others. Hence, there is a strong nexus between Kano and the centre of prosperity. Though, I don’t know you have a blueprint, Kano remains my blueprint,” Tinubu assured.
The former governor had condoled with those that lost lives and property in the recent flood disaster in Kano with the donation of N100 million to ameliorate their pains.
Earlier, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje appealed for support of the business community for the APC presidential candidate with assurance to meet the demands of the community.
Ganduje also took time to reel out his monumental capital projects completed and ongoing to ease the social economic development in Kano.
He revealed the giant stride of his administration towards ensuring a peaceful atmosphere. He noted that the tranquility enjoined in Kano was a result of commitment and doggedness of security agencies and huge investment of government on security architecture.
Several leaders of the Kano Business Community who spoke at the dinner requested the intervention of Tinubu in the area of independent power supply to boost manufacturing and commercial hub among other demands.
