The inauguration of the North-west executive committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and special rally in Sokoto was almost marred yesterday as police fired tear-gas close to the podium, disrupting the speech of the national chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun.
The reason for their action was not known. While inaugurating the committee, the national chairman who was supported by some top ranking officers of the party had to pause for a while to wipe off tears as a result of the action which also caused commotion in a section of the trade fair complex, venue of the rally, as people scampered for safety.
Oyegun however said the rally had set their train in motion and its only terminus would be Aso Rock, Abuja.
“Let me assure you that transformation is different from change. They said they have transformed the economy but there are no jobs. They said they have transformed energy but there is no light. They said they have transformed security but the North-East is almost gone and they said they have transformed education but our universities are shut down. I want them to come to Sokoto, Zamfara and Kano States to see the true meaning of change,” he said.
Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said the APC would show President Jonathan the way out in next year’s election as Nigerians are tired of bad governance and are yearning for change.
Kwankwaso said the APC was set to wrestle power from the PDP in 2015, as many credible Nigerians would soon join the party. He asserted that the 16 year-old rule of the PDP would be brought to a halt next year. The Kano governor urged governors of Niger and Jigawa States to consider coming to the APC which he said is the right path for the country’s development. He also urged other governors and people of the zone to join forces and salvage the zone and Nigeria.
“Nigeria is at a critical time and the only plausible solution to the myriad of problems is to join the ship of APC. What Nigerians are after is sustainable peace and unity,” he said.
Re-echoing his assertion, Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko also said the time is up for the PDP leadership of the country and expressed optimism that the APC would bring the country to its right footing.
Governor Abdulazeez Yari of Zamfara State maintained that the APC is the alternative solution to insecurity, unemployment and energy problems bedevilling the nation. Edo State Governor Adams Oshiohmole assured Nigerians that with APC at the central government Nigerians have no business with lamentation.
According to him, the country is endowed with a lot of potentials but due to bad leadership people are yet to feel the impact.
“The message of change is clear, we want to maximize the potentials that God gave to us,” he said.
On his part, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said change in the country is inevitable, adding, “We are tired of deceit, poverty and religious politics”.
In his acceptance speech, the national vice chairman of the party, North-West, Barrister Inuwa Abdulkadir, said they would not be deterred by intruders. He urged supporters of the party not to be intimidated, assuring them that the threats from the ruling PDP would not last.
Source: Daily Trust
