Atiku plans sale of nation's assets to allies, says Tinubu

• Published date: 18 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential standard bearer Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday explained why Nigerians should not vote for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in next month's election.

He said Atiku will sell all government properties to his allies and reverse the trend of progress.

Tinubu, who spoke at a rally in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, also urged the electorate to sustain their political freedom by rejecting PDP flagbearers at the polls.

Also, at the Southeast APC Women rally in Owerri, capital of Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma and Tinubu's wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, rallied women's support for the ruling party.

Chiding Atiku for unfolding plans to sell government property if elected, Tinubu said the country cannot make progress under the PDP candidate.

He said: 'The PDP candidate in the race is well known for selling everything that has the Federal Republic of Nigeria's name on it.

'If it is part of the public treasure or national patrimony, he is looking to pawn it to one of his shady partners.

'He wants to sell off your chance at a decent job, good schools, a nice home and a happy life.

'His aim is to sell and turn our public assets into his private profit. He wants you to go hungry so that he can feast off the abundance of the land.'

Urging the people of Kwara to vote for APC, Tinubu said their votes for the party will cement their freedom from exploitation, which they achieved four years ago.

Tinubu and his entourage virtually shut down Ilorin as a huge crowd of party faithful and supporters thronged the Metropolitan Square, the venue of the rally, from sunrise.

It was a carnival-like rally. Security agencies struggled to clear the human traffic that heralded the arrival of the campaign train. Many party enthusiasts adorned the typical 'Emilokan' cap.

The ancient city was agog with festivities as the surging crowd spilt across the streets, many of them in branded t-shirts, waving the brooms, singing and dancing.

It took over two hours for the campaign train to arrive at the square from the Ilorin Airport.

The standard bearer, who was accompanied by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Campaign Director-General Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, and Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Abubakar Kyari, was received by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Kwara Central senatorial candidate, Alhaji Salihu Mustapha, Turaki of Ilorin.

Also at the rally were former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole; Minister of Youths and Sports Sunday Dare; Speaker of Kwara...