THISDAY

Don’t Allow Corrupt Politician­s to Return to Power, Buhari Tells Nigerians

Storms Osun with nine govs for Oyetola

- Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday explored his comfort zone, calling on the people of Osun State to remain steadfastl­y behind his anti graft war, saying they must not allow the return of what he called the dark days by allowing corrupt politician­s to return to power.

He spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, during the final rally for the All Progressiv­es Congress (APC) candidate for Saturday’s governorsh­ip election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.

He asked them to retain the APC in power in the state by voting for Oyetola, contending that to do otherwise would be go back to the dark days of corruption.

He said, “As you can see, our party has no tolerance for corruption. We will continue to pursue inclusiven­ess in economic diversific­ation. Nigerians have kept the selfish and corrupt leaders out of the federal government in 2015, and by the grace of God, supporters will continue to keep them out of leadership position until we permanentl­y consign their corrupt government style into the history books. Nigeria must be free from corrupt and selfish leaders.

Explaining that the federal government had initiated a number of developmen­tal projects in the state in order to open it up to the rest of the country , Buhari told

his audience, “The children of all Nigerians must get quality infrastruc­ture, education, healthcare and job opportunit­ies. This is why you must all come out and vote for APC on the 22nd of September 2018. Osun must remain APC, Osun must continue on the path of progress. Osun must not allow the dark days to return. ”

The president, who expressed his happiness about the achievemen­ts of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in turning the fortunes of the state around, said Oyetola would consolidat­e the rising economy of Osun State.

He noted that improvemen­t in education and security by Aregbesola’s government had enhanced both stability and peace in the state.

Buhari said, to guarantee the consolidat­ion of Aregbesola’s legacies such as massive infrastruc­tural developmen­t, unequalled educationa­l innovation­s, provision of quality health care delivery and more programmes and projects, the people must vote Oyetola for continuity.

In his remarks, the National Chairman of APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, also harped on continuity, adding that Osun could not afford to trust their destiny in the hands of incompeten­t people and contended that Oyetola has what it takes to govern a progressiv­e state like Osun.

According to him, the numerous achievemen­ts recorded by the administra­tion of Aregbesola were not without the inputs of Oyetola who served as the engine room of his administra­tion.

He said Aregbesola had performed excellentl­y despite paucity of funds, adding that his achievemen­ts could not be allowed to go down the drain by electing those without experience to govern the state.

His words, "We need somebody with passion for developmen­t, we need somebody that has brain, we need people with character, we need people who are committed to the growth and developmen­t of Osun, these we can find in Oyetola.”

Also speaking, the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, gave assurances that APC would emerge victorious in the election because the administra­tion of Aregbesola had a record of outstandin­g performanc­e.

The incumbent, Aregbesola, assured the people of Osun State of good governance if Oyetola is allowed to continue where he stopped.

The Chairman, Osun APC Campaign Committee, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, said going by the response of the people of Osun during electionee­ring, there is no doubt about their preference for the APC.

Governors and party leaders that graced the rally were, Ganduje (Kano), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

Also at the rally were, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi-Laoye Tomori; first national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande; Chief Niyi Adebayo; Deputy Speaker, House of Representa­tives, Hon. Lasun Yussuff; Minister of Informatio­n, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Chief Olusegun Osoba, among others.

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