Yobe governor, monarch solicit support for Amaechi

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and the Emir of Damaturu, Dr. Shehu Hashimi, the Ibn Elkanemi II, have called on Nigerians to support the presidential ambition of former transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election is billed to hold this weekend.

The duo made the call in Damaturu while receiving the presidential aspirant, who visited the state to consult with the delegates on Monday.

Hashimi told Amaechi in his palace: “I know much about you. I know the experience you have and the challenges you have gone through. With your track record, when you become president, you will deliver as expected. I pray that you will be supported by Nigerians to be president.

“We will support you in prayer and all aspects we can, to see that you excel. The transformation of this great country seen under the Ministry of Transportation, which you headed, needs to be commended. We know the role you played and we know how much you have done.”

At the Government House, Damaturu, Buni said, with Amaechi’s pedigree, it would only be proper for Nigerians to support him to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the country requires someone, who would continue in the implementation of the lofty policies of the present administration; hence, the need to support the former transport minister.

“We need continuity and consolidation with innovation to ensure that what we are enjoying today as a nation would at least continue because we cannot afford to start afresh. We cannot afford to risk having a new hand,” Buni said.

Similarly, at an interactive session with APC delegates, former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lt-Gen. Tukur Burutai said Amaechi should be supported because of his courage to fight insecurity.

His words: “I was opportune to be the Brigade Commander in Rivers State when he served as governor. We worked tirelessly to ensure security and he is a man of many parts.”

“He has also shown that capacity in other areas of administration, which includes the doggedness and determination to ensure that our railways work again. What we need is to give him the delegates’ votes for him to get that ticket and be elected as president in 2023.”

In his address, Amaechi assured the delegates of an improved economy, where insecurity will be a thing of the past if elected.