Follow Us on Google
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has slammed President Bola Tinubu for lacking the energy to run Nigeria.
He has therefore urged him to step down from his bid for a second term, noting that Nigeria needs a President with the required energy and capacity to address the country’s mounting challenges.
Obi, who spoke during the homecoming of former governor of Bayelsa State and national leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, at the state secretariat in Bayelsa, declared that Nigeria does not need a leader who lacks the energy to govern effectively.
He also criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government for plunging Nigeria into poverty, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare and inadequate electricity supply.
“Today, we have a country that produces the highest number of poor people in the world. Today, we have a country where our people are hungry. Nigerians don’t know where the next meal will come from,” he said.
Obi assured Bayelsans that the NDC was offering Nigerians a new alternative that would guarantee development of all sectors in the country.
“We are telling you that NDC is coming to build a new Nigeria that is possible. We want to move Nigeria from consumption to production. We will start by uniting the country,” he said.
‘’ We pledged that an NDC administration would tackle insecurity, strengthen public institutions and ensure that Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or geographical backgrounds, felt a sense of belonging’’
Obi further promised to support industries and small businesses to create employment opportunities for young Nigerians, while proposing the development of seaports across the South-South region.
He disclosed that the proposed ports would serve areas including Warri, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Calabar, while improved road infrastructure would connect the states and stimulate economic activities.
Earlier in his remarks, Dickson implored Bayelsans to give Obi and all the party’s candidates in the state overwhelming electoral support.
Dickson accused the APC of failing to deliver on its promises to the people, while also criticising what he described as the poor political treatment of some individuals who had served in government.
He called on party members and supporters to mobilise across communities to secure support for the NDC candidates.
Dickson warned supporters against intimidation and electoral violence, urging them to remain peaceful but resolute in defending their voting rights.
He said elections should be won through votes rather than the deployment of security personnel to intimidate voters.
“We don’t do politics with violence. No weapon, no bullet. Overwhelm them with the sheer force in your community. Vote and you follow up your votes,” he told supporters.
