I’ll be a fair, just President to all Nigerians, says Tinubu
• Assures S’West Muslim leaders of faster economic growth
In continuation of his engagements with religious groups and leaders in the country, the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, again, spoke of his plans to retool the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with Muslim leaders from the South West, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the APC standard bearer also commended religious leaders in the country for their continued prayers and sermons, which he noted, had contributed to unity and peaceful coexistence.
Describing the forthcoming 2023 general elections as “Nigeria’s momentous encounter with destiny,” Tinubu urged the clerics to educate their followers on the importance of exercising their franchise and voting only tested candidates with a track record of excellent public service, “and not falling for the lies and gimmicks of those that have nothing to offer.”
Tinubu, who spoke partly in Yoruba language, said: “This election season has been a hybrid of facts and falsehood, truth and lies. I would like the election to be one based on facts and truth.
“What is a candidate’s record of performance and what are his policies? I ask you to urge your followers to come out and vote, and to do so wisely. Vote for a candidate that has vision for a peaceful, prosperous Nigeria where tolerance and compassion undergird our constitutional and legal rights.”
The presidential candidate assured Nigerians that he would be “a fair and just leader,” adding: “My pledge for fairness and justice is consistent with the tenets of Islamic faith.
“A leader in a plural society, like ours, is enjoined to be a leader of all. If elected, I shall govern in an honest and democratic manner, in harmony with our nation’s constitution.”
Citing his stewardship as Lagos State governor, Tinubu promised to use that experience to lead Nigeria in the “same spirit of innovation and pragmatic vision to uplift the nation and renew the hope of Nigerians.
On security, Tinubu vowed to end reign of terror, kidnappings and other violent crimes by recruiting more personnel that would be trained and retrained, in addition to providing more security tools and gadgets for effective fight against criminal elements.
The nation’s economy, according to Tinubu, would be diversified and restructured towards achieving at least six per cent growth yearly. These goals would be achieved through the reforms of our industrial policy, infrastructural enhancement, power sector innovation and significant budgetary reforms.
“Regarding the economy, we seek to repair the very structure of the economy. We can no longer flourish as an economy based on natural resource extraction.
“We must become a dynamic, diversified economy where those who want to work can find a good job. But let us also be a society sufficiently compassionate to help those who cannot help themselves.
“We must revive manufacturing and industrial growth, so as to create jobs as well as produce goods and services that improve the daily lives of the average person.
“We seek a minimum of six per cent growth yearly through reform of our industrial policy, infrastructural enhancement, power sector innovation and significant budgetary reform.”
Earlier, welcoming Tinubu to the interaction, the President of Muslim Ummah of South West of Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, said the event provided an opportunity for the APC candidate to interface with the Muslim leaders of the region on his plans for the nation if elected, “particularly on how he could make the country a land of great opportunities where no man will be oppressed.”
