There was never a time when the North East has so benefited from federal government projects and initiatives as we have seen in the last three and half years of Buhari regime. As leaders and witnesses to truth, we must acknowledge, and be grateful for all the successes recorded by this Government during these short years.
We who were until now PDP stakeholders and Atiku Campaign Coordinators (ACC), strategists, and door to door canvassers from the six (6) States of the North East region comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, have therefore deliberated and decided to join the Next Level campaign of the APC under the banner-of North East Alliance for Buhari 2019. We are resolved to campaign and drum up support for your re-election.
The North East region, prior to this administration, has seen the darkest days imaginable in the history of this country. The Boko Haram insurgency had destroyed our communalities and their livelihoods.
The entire North East region was a war zone with Borno, Yobe and Adamawa recording the highest level of insecurity as bombs shattered limbs and legs. Then, at least seventeen Local Government Councils of Borno State in particular, were effectively occupied by the Boko Haram insurgents where they hoisted their flags.
Today, the narrative has changed, and relative security has been restored, as for people can now travel freely to a large extent within the region. Over one million persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency have returned to their communities and homes. Farmers have returned to their farms and normal trading activities are picking up.
This level of achievement of securing the region has re-affirmed the trust of our people in your ability to consolidate the gains. The region is today recording unprecedented interventions on social programmes initiated and delivered. The N-power Programme, the home-grown school feeding, the trader-moni and anchors borrowers’ scheme for peasant farmers, conditional cash transfer, youth/women empowerment e.t.c., have all empowered and encouraged our people to look forward to a better life after years of suffering.
Mr. President, we would also like to acknowledge the unprecedented infrastructural development taking place across the region, as indeed across the country as a whole. Furthermore, we acknowledge that your Government is addressing the challenges of education, diversifying the economy through agriculture and solid minerals, as well as expanding the transport and communication sectors. Your efforts at fighting corruption are acknowledged nationally and internationally. Obviously corruption is fighting back, but you remain unshaken.
It is therefore important to reiterate the absolute need for you to have a second term to continue your efforts to uplift the standard of living of Nigerians through these policies which are already yielding results.
As for our region specifically, we cannot thank you enough. Today, the moribund and four decades old Mambilla hydro power project has gone beyond rhetorics and actually taken off. The Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI) and the Buhari Plan, which provide a comprehensive plan on addressing the security and development challenges facing the North East are on the ground. Specifically, the establishment of the North East Development Commission and your commitment for the recharging/reclaiming of the Lake Chad are projects very critical to our region and the resumption of the livelihoods our people.
All these initiatives will achieve their desired objectives during your second tenure.
Given your antecedence, we are not surprised by your interest in the North East and commitment to finding a lasting solution to the problems facing the region.
No other candidate, not even the one supposedly from the region, has shown more understanding and commitment to solving them than Your Excellency. Indeed, it is ironic that there is nothing that the PDP can show in the entire Zone as their legacy during their 16 years of corrupt misrule.
Before we conclude, let me reiterate that this coming election is not about APC, PDP or any other political party, but it is about leadership character and trait; it is about which candidate has displayed honesty, sincerity and integrity in leadership. For us and our teaming supporters, the choice is very clear. You have been tested and trusted like none other and you will deliver us to the next level. We are here to pledge our loyalty and support to you in this noble journey. We assure you that immediately after this visit, we are going to embark on massive community to community and house to house campaign for your re-election. Your leadership so far has shown that Nigeria’s future is bright, and Nigerians will rise to the Next Level – In shaa Allah.
Mr Bolori is formerly the Director General, Borno State Gubernatorial and Campaign Council AND Coordinator, friends of Atiku (FOA). He made this speech during a visit to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa.
