Amaechi in Katsina, vows to fight poverty, insecurity

Former Minister of Transportation and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Amaechi, has promised to address insecurity and poverty, if given opportunity to be president in 2023.

Amaechi, while speaking to APC delegates in Katsina State, yesterday, said if things don’t change soon, Nigeria may disintegrate to the point of a big gulf between the rich and the poor, to the detriment of peace and security in the country.

He said: “If Nigeria does not move back to agriculture, industries and manufacturing, the breakup you’ll see is the poor versus the rich. It will not be Muslims versus Christians or North versus South. So we must build the Nigerian economy to accommodate the poor. If you don’t accommodate the poor, you will run away.

“Have you heard of Songhai farm? I built 300 hectares of Songhai farm, the biggest Songhai farm in the world. We built hostels for 500 farmers. When we train and graduate you, we give you money and product to start your own farm. Then we take another 500. We began to produce. By the time I left office, the farm was earning money to run itself, no more government money.”

On insecurity, Amaechi narrated how he fought militancy and kidnapping to a standstill as Governor of Rivers State, adding: “That is why anywhere I go (for consultations with delegates) I go with Gen. Tukur Buratai (former Chief of Army Staff, who was then Brigade Commander in Rivers) and former Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman, who was Commissioner of Police in Rivers at the time. Former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Sadique Abubakar was Air Force commander in Rivers at the time. We were bombing them everyday until they ran away.”

Amaechi said God blessed with leadership and that he performed in every position he held, noting that his bid to become president was to give back to the country and the people.

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, said with with Amaechi’s performance and projects in Katsina State, the state should be the one blowing his trumpet.

According to the Chairman of Katsina APC, Muhammad Sani, it is time for the people of the state to pay back the good deeds of Amaechi towards them.