By Aliyu Abdulwahid
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has promised to be fair and just to all Nigerians irrespective of where they come from or believe.
Tinubu also pledged to retool the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
He gave these commitment on Sunday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital during a town hall engagement with Muslim Leaders from South West.
Addressing Muslim clerics, Tinubu assured Nigerians that he would be “a fair and just leader,” adding, “My pledge for fairness and justice is consistent with the tenets of the Islamic faith.
“A leader in a plural society like ours is enjoined to be a leader of all. If elected, I shall govern honestly and democratically in harmony with our nation’s constitution.”
He cited his stewardship as Lagos Governor and 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.”
He described the 2023 general elections as “Nigeria’s momentous encounter with destiny” and urged the Islamic 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 a vision for a peaceful, prosperous Nigeria.”
On security, Tinubu vowed to end the 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 an effective fight against criminal elements.
The nation’s economy, according to Tinubu, would be diversified and restructured towards achieving at least 6 per cent growth annually. These goals, he promised would be achieved through the reforms of the country’s 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 to create jobs as well as produce the goods and services that improve the daily lives of the average person.
“We seek a minimum of 6 per cent growth annually through reform of our industrial policy, infrastructural enhancement, power sector innovation and significant budgetary reform,” Tinubu told the Muslim leaders.
Earlier, the National Chief Missioner of Anwar-ur- Deen Movement, Sheikh Ahmad Abdulrahman, said the gathering was not to campaign or endorse Tinubu or any candidate.
“But to seek and to know and to see whether Asíwájú Tinubu can still deliver for the country as he did as governor of Lagos State.”
Tinubu was accompanied to the meeting by Deputy Lagos Governor Dr Femi Hamzat; Oyo APC governorship candidate Senator Teslim Folarin; former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole; Deputy Director-General of his campaign, Hadiza Bala Usman, Senator Fatai Buhari from Oyo and many serving and former members of the National Assembly.
