Again, mammoth crowd witnesses Jonathan’s rally in Kano

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MAMMOTH crowd has again witnessed President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally, even as the president promised the citizens of Kano State that the government, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would encourage small and micro medium scale enterprises in an effort to make young people employers of labour.

President Jonathan, in his speech at the PDP campaign rally, on Wednesday, said ‘‘any country that we are at par with now can never overtake Nigeria again in all fronts-in economic front, in industrial sector, in agriculture; and that is why we are trying to create young farmers.’’

He added that, ‘‘We are trying to create young business men. Luckily, we are in Kano, and if you talk about business, you remember people like the Aliko Dangotes, you can remember the Dantatas, the Rabius and others. So, we will surely work with you to encourage small and micro medium scale enterprises to make sure young people like you grow up to the likes of Aliko Dangotes.That is what we stand for, that is what we are working for.’’

According to him, ‘‘We reassure you that working with you, working with the incumbent PDP government; we will surely continue to improve commerce and industry in Kano. We will make sure young people have jobs, our women will have jobs; and that the economy of Kano will continue to grow from strength to strength.’’

When you are in Kano, you remember what people want. Kano is known for education, it is known for agriculture, it is known for commerce and industry; and that is why this present administration will work with you, work with the governor that is coming, to make sure we don’t just produce food, but we process the food and export and that is why we are working very hard.

Let me use this occasion to appreciate the northern youth for donating N2 million for myself and the vice-president to buy our nomination forms. The donation was made in Kano and we have to use this opportunity to thank all of you for that.

‘‘Let us use this opportunity to also express our condolences to you for the death of our former Emir, Ado Bayero, and also to congratulate you for successfully crowning the next Emir of this great city and this Emirate.

‘‘At this occasion, let us remember some of our great sons and daughters that worked very hard to lead this country. One is the great Murtala Muhammad, Mallam Aminu Kano and other great leaders that have worked tirelessly.’’

Meanwhile, Presdient Jonathan, on Wednesday, met the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi in his palace to seek his blessing in next month’s presidential election.

Jonathan, who was in the state in continuation of his nationwide campaign, expressed condolences on the passing on of the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and congratulated the new emir for his installation as the royal father.

Jonathan told the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor that he was in his palace to formally introduce himself, Vice-President Namadi Sambo and other PDP candidates in the election.

He said: “I am here to seek your royal blessing and to reassure the people of Kano that PDP is totally committed to developing the country.”

The president remarked that the country had virtually eliminated polio and should soon be officially declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Also noting his administration’s success in wiping out Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the president spoke of the place of Kano in commerce and industry, saying his administration would work with the people of the state to enhance agriculture value chain to give more priority to processing and export.

Jonathan also assured the emir that his government was committed to improving the welfare of Kano people and Nigerians in general.

In his remark, Alhaji Sanusi expressed appreciation to the resident for the visit and hoped that his campaign would go on smoothly.

The emir called on politicians to conduct their business in peace and avoid bloodshed as he noted that democracy was all about choice.

“Democracy is all about giving people the chance to make their choice and so, there is no need for violence,” he said.

Sanusi urged the people to accept the verdict after the election and rally around whoever emerges the winner.

He expressed delight that government was doing all that was necessary to provide Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) so that all eligible Nigerians could exercise their franchise.

He however urged government to redouble it’s efforts at ensuring security before, during and after the election as he prayed for peace.

While also praying for the emergence of leaders that would move the country forward and provide for tranquillity, the royal father also assured that he would continue to pray for peace to reign in the country, adding that he would make himself available to give advice to government at any levels.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan addressed a mammoth crowd of supporters at the Polo Ground, Kano, expressing his delight at the attendance in spite of the negative campaign launched by his opponents.

In sharp contrast with Katsina where his motorcade was stoned on Tuesday, Jonathan Wednesday’s rally in Kano was peaceful with hundreds of supporters lining the presidential route to greet him.

He told the crowd that he would continue his effort to create young millionaires out of Kano through innovative measures being implemented by his administration and commended Northern Youths for donating the sum of N2million to his campaign.

Vice President Namadi Sambo told the supporters to ignore the religious campaign against Jonathan and the PDP, saying that as the vice president to Jonathan, nobody could claim be a bigger Muslim than himself who observed all injunctions of Islam.

He remarked that contract has been awarded to extend various railway lines in the North to enhance the business and commerce in the area and beyond.

Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who is the North West zonal coordinator of the PDP presidential campaign told the gathering that the All Progressive Congress (APC) government of Kano State was a government of deceit.

Recalling the achievements of former Kano governor and Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Lamido advised Kano people not give in to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s false pretences but to vote for all PDP candidates.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Adamu Muazu, highlighted the achievements of the Jonathan’s administration and stressed the need for Kano people to vote for him.

He said the mammoth crowd at the rally was an indication that the negative propaganda of the opposition had failed.

The Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, pointed out that Governor Kwankwaso stole the mandate of the PDP and had since been lying to the people of the state.

The wife of the Vice President, Hajia Amina Sambo, in her address, observed that the Jonathan administration had given priority to women and youth through appointments and empowerment.

He therefore urged the people to vote for the President and other PDP candidates in the election.

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