OCAF unveils reasons thousands of its members’ welcome Tinubu’s visit to Bayelsa . Tinubu pledges to prioritise the welfare of Bayelsa people if he is elected in 2023

By Austin Genesis

 A well-known development-oriented organization under the aegis of Ogbia Constituency Two Advancement Forum (OCAF), has unfolded the motives behind, it mobilized thousands of its members to turn out in large number to give the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next year’s presidential election, Bola Tinubu, and his running mate, Kashim Shettima arousing welcome.

 

Speaking with journalists on Thursday during the APC presidential rally in Yenagoa, the State Executive Chairman of the body, Comrade Inegbagha Majesty had said that the members of OCAF had resolved to align with the APC and make Tinubu the next president of the country based on his exceptional track record as well as the fact that the duo are the best among the presidential candidates that can govern and make the country a hub of peace, stability and prosperity.

Stating emphatically that it is the turn of the South to produce the next president of the country, having unreserved confidence in Tinubu, they fervently believe that if elected in the 2023 election, Tinubu’s administration would bring about progressive governance that would address the socio- economic and political challenges bedeviling the country to make life meaningful for the people.

The organization boss pointed out that the APC 2023 presidential standard bearer and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, were the best for the country saying that their administration will address the issue of marginalization and segregation, believing that his administration will fight corruption which is very endemic and encourage local production and increase the production demands in the country and use Nigerian potentials to achieve progress, industrialization and electricity, thus reduce stealing in governance. 

 

The body stressed that the duo has incomparable track records as exemplified when Tinubu was Governor of Lagos state while Shettima as Borno state governor, noting that both will promote progressive government as Shettima possesses strong leadership abilities as well.

OCAF applauded the manifesto of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu as he provided the electorate with a clear manifesto and action plans on how to take up governance upon his emergence at the 2023 polls.

Noting that elections provide a vital prospect to advance democratisation and boost political liberalisation, it pointed out that the APC presidential candidate as a democrat will do everything to address the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians devoid of ethnic sentiment and tribalism.

Inegbagha who described Senator Tinubu as an experienced management accountant, financial strategist, and an accomplished political administrator, who has extensive connections stretching across decades of corporate employment, social activism and politics, is accustomed to making big growth dreams come true.

He added that Senator Tinubu possesses all the right human qualities and capacity to effectively unite Nigerians and tackle the problems of insecurity, endemic poverty, mass unemployment, inflation and the prevailing high cost of living and restore the deteriorating state of the nation’s economy, the value of Naira and free Nigerians from the present challenges when elected.

OCAF boss asserted categorically that Senator Tinubu has track record of achievement, which no other candidate has, stressing that his competence for the job stands out in his famous and outstanding performance several years back.

Tinubu while as governor, he said has transformed political administration and employed different measures to improve service delivery and system efficiency in the state public sector.

On the joint ticket of the APC Presidential Candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, he described it as the best because the country’s political situation needs capable, committed and detribalize persons of integrity who will foster national cohesion, adding that their victory would eliminate religious and ethnic division among Nigerians and boost peace and stability the nation demand.

The body therefore used the forum to enjoin the electorates to vote for the APC presidential candidate and his running mate because the duo are right leaders needed to serve the people from May 29, 2023.

In his speech at the rally, Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he will prioritise the welfare of Bayelsa people if he is elected in 2023.

Tinubu said though the state is blessed with mineral and human resources, the wealth that the state should have is not reflected in the lives of the ordinary people.

“The entire world knows that Bayelsa is rich in oil and is among Nigeria’s largest producing states. The revenue from these things has been the backbone of government income and foreign exchange earnings,” he said.

 “But what the world often forgets is that Bayelsa is more than just pipelines and oil installations. It is a community of decent and good people, proud of the culture and traditions, yet hopeful of what the future holds.

“You are fishermen and boat operators of great skill and reputation. You are farmers, businessmen, market women, teachers, students and professionals in all fields.

“To be frank, those who have governed the state have not done as they should. In the fiscal rankings of all the states, Bayelsa ranked 36th in 2020 and 2021. You have been sold short by those not interested in your welfare.

“If you vote for me and my team, that unfair day will surely end. Today, I am here to tell you that renewed hope is also here. I am not here to steal or eat your future but to help you realise it. Development and opportunity are here. Education is here. Good health is here. Security is here.

“We will reconstruct and maintain vital federal roadways such as the Mbiama-Yenegoa-Nembe-Brass highway. We will work with willing and capable private sector partners to build a comprehensive network of swamp bridges that connect swamp settlements with upland areas and the wider world.”

He also promised to prioritise the security of the people, as well as ensure better living standards for residents.

“My government will make the safety and security of the people of this state its highest priority. We will take the necessary measures to address security challenges in the waterways by winning the fight against kidnapping, oil theft and piracy in the Niger Delta region,” he said.

“No innocent person should have to live in fear simply because they work hard and earn a little money. You should be able to enjoy your life and labour as you wish. No one has the right to steal that from you.

“We will deploy new technologies to protect the safety and security of law-abiding Bayelsans as well as the critical infrastructure in the state. The effects of environmental degradation and oil spillage will not be ignored.

“My vision is for Nigeria and Bayelsa to be the same — to be a peaceful, prosperous and compassionate society. My government will focus on developing the young people of this country because they represent the future. And the future is today.

“We will establish new skills development and capacity building programmes. Industrial hubs and dry ports will focus investment on labour-intensive manufacturing. We will innovate and use modern technology to create jobs and provide first-generation goods and services. Our goal is to expand our industrial base such that Nigeria becomes a global leader.”

Other APC stakeholders at the event were Kashim Shettima, APC vice-presidential candidate; Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives; Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau and the director-general of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign, among others.

In his remarks, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said Bayelsa is an APC state and that their mandate was stolen in court.

Sylva accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of making the state to be ranked as the second poorest state in Nigeria.

The former governor of Bayelsa State described Tinubu’s presidency as the best thing that can happen to Nigeria and that he is the best candidate so far.

He said Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, have no credibility to govern Nigeria as a country and that Tinubu will ensure that the youths will excel if he becomes the president.

Thousands of supporters of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, defied heavy rainfall as his presidential campaign train came to Bayelsa State.