Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s nominee for president, has pledged that if elected, he will put an end to banditry and enhance security countrywide, particularly in Zamfara State.
In a Monday speech to Parry supporters in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara, he made the commitment.
As a result of bandit assaults that have claimed hundreds of lives over the past couple of years, Atiku expressed his sympathies to the residents of the state.
“We have been eager to visit Zamfara because of what we are reading on social media, and today we have witnessed that it is true,” the PDP candidate added.
“Firstly I want use this opportunity to condole and sympathise with you I know that apart from the people of Borno and Yobe there is state that suffered the loss of people apart from you as a result of banditry, armed bandits among others, we pray that God will bring this to an end, but the end of it all is if God wills it is to vote for PDP, because APC brought this evil in the last seven to eight years of its administration.
“They brought insecurity, poverty, and disunity; our youth are not going to school because teachers are not paid in secondary and tertiary institution. With your vote you will expunge them.
“I promised to restore peace and security in Nigeria I have done it in the past I, so, see no reason why with your support and backing by the grace of God there wont be peace in Nigeria.
“Secondly the people of Zamfara are known for trading, farming, rearing today none of these exist, therefore with your support we will restore all businesses, ensure that all our youth are schooling without hitches.
“As Federal government we will ensure the construction of railway that brought wealth to Kaura. We will work with the state government to revitalise the closed down textile company.
“We will give businessmen capital to open these textiles for job generation. We will open borders because it is not in line 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 we will reconstruct Bakalori Dam for those farmers that were prevented from farming.
“Two governors in the past made a pledge to me to construct airport but failed to do it the Federal Government will assist the state to build the airport in Zamfara.“
In a similar spirit, Vice Presidential Candidate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa voiced confidence in the PDP’s expected resounding victory in Zamfara.
“As Federal government we will ensure the construction of railway that brought wealth to Kaura. We will work with the state government to revitalise the closed down textile company.
“We will give businessmen capital to open these textiles for job generation. We will open borders because it is not in line 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 we will reconstruct Bakalori Dam for those farmers that were prevented from farming.
“Two governors in the past made a pledge to me to construct airport but failed to do it the Federal Government will assist the state to build the airport in Zamfara.“
He said, “I thank you for rejecting the APC because they brought insecurity to us. They brought hunger but Atiku is coming to drive away the hunger.
“Atiku is bringing peace back to you. Atiku will support your businesses, Atiku will support those who farm and he will take away hunger.
“He will support the education of our children. He will bring Nigeria back to where we expect it back to be.
“We cannot go to bed hungry, Atiku will help the women, Atiku will help the youths and creates jobs for us. His promise is to give us a better life, to give us a better Nigeria and I thank you for supporting him. With Atiku, Nigeria will be great again.“