In Calabar, Jonathan Extends Completion Of East-West Road

AGAIN, the Federal Government has shifted the completion date of the East-West Road as President Goodluck Jonathan Friday commissioned the N6.5 billion Ring Road in Calabar.

  While addressing a mammoth crowd of party supporters at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, as part of his presidential campaign rally, Jonathan promised to complete the road if voted into office next month, noting that the Uyo-Calabar axis of the road would come naturally.

  He said the road project was on course and would certainly be completed this year, if voted in for a second term.

  In Lagos, his All Progressive Congress (APC) counterpart, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), pledged to resuscitate the nation’s economy by fighting corruption and eradicating insecurity.

   Buhari, who spoke at a well-attended mega rally of the party at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos yesterday emphasised the need for the nation to ensure security first before talking of other aspects of development and growth.

  Jonathan also reassured his supporters of his promise to construct a railway line from Lagos to Obudu Cattle Ranch, adding that his mandate was to take Nigerians forward as the country continued to lead in international standards.

  He urged Nigerians not to allow themselves to be ruled by “lawless leaders,” saying: “When people talk about change, what kind of change are they talking about? Why do you want to change us to lawless country? We need change that can take us forward, not backward.”

  He commended Governor Liyel Imoke for making a tremendous progress in developing the state, noting: “The state has made a significant progress in development and is still leading in international standards.”

  While commissioning the 6.8-kilometre Margaret Ekpo International Airport By-Pass Road named after him by the state government, the President said: “I want to thank you very sincerely for immortalising me with the naming of this all important road after me. I pray that the day I will leave office, I will leave enough footprints that people will use in remembering me.”

  Earlier, Imoke promised that the state would deliver over one million votes to Jonathan.

 According to Buhari: “We must secure Nigeria first. Killing people in hundreds is not acceptable. The Nigerian Armed Forces are capable, they have all that it takes to secure this country but they need a good leadership, to harness their capability to arrest the insecurity in the land,” he said.

  He also emphasized the need to revive the country’s education system. According to him, “There is the need to build more schools and get qualified teachers. Where there is standard education, definitely we would have quality leadership.”

  Asking the mammoth crowd whether they wanted change in the leadership of the country next month, with a loud cry, the people said yes. He then said: “If you must get that change through a democratic means, it is very important for everyone of you to get your Permanent Voters Card (PVC’s). We must change the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the top to the bottom for the interest of Nigeria.

   “Since 1999 till date, national carrier, Nigerian Airways, Nigerian Railways and other viable institutions in the country have been grounded with over N28 billion lavished on power, yet we are not getting electricity, why because of corruption. I hope Nigeria has suffered enough; we must vote PDP out.

  “Lagos, which used to be the capital of the country in the past has been abandoned and unfortunately, almost all the infrastructures are not maintained. I assure you, the AP‎C will ensure that we maintain the infrastructure in the state.” 

  Former governor of Lagos State and a national leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged Nigerians to vote for Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the federal level and to also vote for Akinwumi Ambode in Lagos, for continuity of good work.

  According to Tinubu: “It is about the future ‎of the youths in Lagos and in Nigeria. The APC is presenting quality, competence and qualified, reliable and truthful candidates. Our candidate will never toy with your destiny like the ruling party has done in the last 16 years. 

“ I can assure you that one man that has been consistent, steadfast, courageous and advocate of the poor is Buhari, the retired general knows and understand the country very well and I am convinced Nigeria will get better with his kind of leader.”