From: Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said there was hope for Nigeria and Nigerians under APC government, describing the criticisms against the Buhari government as ‘unwarranted’.
The former Governor of Lagos State, who spoke in Maiduguri, on Monday night, at a dinner organised in his honour by Borno State Government to mark his two-days visit to the state, said Nigeria was already drifting to storm when the Buhari government came in.
According to Tinubu, “We were in great storm and the ship of this country was challenged. We saw Nigeria drifting as if there was no captain and every patrotic persons contributed in bringing the change we are criticising now.
“This country would have missed in the map of Africa. I saw a map at the Obasanjo’s library and there was no Nigeria. This would have been the situation,” he said.
He said the APC-led government succeeded in restoring hope to the violent-ravaged northeast by degrading Boko Haram.
He continued, “If Boko Haram has not been degraded really, we wouldn’t have gathered here in Maiduguri at this dinner. Borno government wouldn’t have thought of commissioning projects because Boko Haram was determined to wipe off Borno and take over Nigeria. But it is a privilege to stand here today breathing a new life,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to get the patrotism and nationalism of the country right to ensure the country does not return to her past stage of hopelessness. “Boko Haram can no longer take away our hope, unity and courage. We will win over evil,” he counseled.
He said the humanitarian challenge and destruction of infrastructural facilities in the northeast especially Borno requires special attention. He said well-meaning Nigerians both in the public and private sectors needed to establish a trust fund in ‘perpetuity’ to carter for victims of insurgency. He urged people not to forget men and women that suffered from the violence.
On his part, Governor Kashim Shettima said the coming of APC brought respite to Borno as the insurgents nearly overran the state and his government. “Borno people will be eternally grateful to President Mohammadu Buhari and the brain behind the emergence of APC including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. You gave us hope to enjoy peace again,” he said.
He said it was for this reason that the Borno government invited Tinubu to commission some projects as a form of appreciation for his contribution to the emergence of APC government in Nigeria.