APC brought abject poverty to Nigerians – Atiku

• promises to revive the textile industry, railways in Zamfara

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar on Monday accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of inflicting abject poverty on Nigerians.

Speaking at a rally in Gusau, Zamfara state, he also said that the nearly eight years of the APC government have brought nothing but terrorist banditry to the people of the state.

He said that apart from Borno and Yobe, no other state in the federation has been as unsafe as Zamfara, which he says has lost its economic resources, including trade, agriculture and livestock.

He said only a PDP government can restore the state to its glorious days, including as a textile and rail hub.

“We have been looking forward to coming to Zamfara because of what we read on social media. Now we have seen that it is true.

“First, I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences and sympathy. I know that except for the people of Borno and Yobe, there is no state that has suffered the loss of people outside of you due to banditry, armed bandits among others,” Atiku said.

“We pray that God will put an end to this, but the end of it all, God willing, is to vote PDP, because APC has caused this evil in the last seven to eight years of its rule. They brought uncertainty, poverty and division; our young people do not go to school because teachers in secondary and tertiary institutions are not paid.

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“You remove them with your voice. I have promised to restore peace and security in Nigeria. I’ve done it in the past. So I see no reason why with your support and support by the grace of God there will be no peace in Nigeria.

“Secondly, the people of Zamfara are known for their trade, agriculture and animal husbandry. Today none of these exist. Therefore, with your support, we will restore all businesses, ensure that all our young people go to school without any problems.

“When you choose your governor, we will work with him to make sure everything Zamfara needs is done. As a federal government, we will ensure the construction of a railway line that brought prosperity to Kaura (Namoda). We will work with the state government to revive the closed textile company. We will give capital to businessmen to open up these textiles for job generation. We are going to open the borders because it is not in accordance with the law. Our borders are closed while others are open.

“They brought us abject poverty, there is no justice in this. I promised under the federal government that we will reconstruct the Bakalori dam for the farmers who couldn’t farm. Two governors have promised me in the past to build an airport, but have not done so. The federal government will assist the state in building the airport in Zamafara.”

Speaking to the crowd, PDP vice presidential candidate and Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa expressed confidence that Atiku will win 80 percent of the Zamfara vote.

He described the PDP banner bearer as the only one who can bring peace back to the state, support its businesses and drive out hunger.

He said: “I am very convinced that we have already won more than 80% vote in Zamfara. Thank you for rejecting the APC because they brought us uncertainty. They brought hunger, but Atiku comes to dispel the hunger. Atiku brings back your peace. Atiku will support your businesses, Atiku will support those who are farmers and he will take away hunger. He will support the education of our children. He will take Nigeria back to where we expect it to be.

“We cannot go to bed hungry. Atiku will help the women, Atiku will help the youth and create jobs for us. His promise is to give us a better life, to give us a better Nigeria and I thank you for your support. With Atiku, Nigeria will be great again.”