By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, in the forthcoming Kogi Central Senatorial district electíon, Barr.Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,has urged Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,the presidential candidate of PDP to ensure that Ajaokuta Steel project works,if he emerges the president of Nigeria.
Akpoti-Uduaghan gave the advice on Saturday in Lokoja in her goodwill message at PDP presidential rally in Lokoja.
According to her, the need to make the project, which commenced in the early 80s be a reality became imperative to employ mllions of youths in the country, especially in Kogi state roaming the streets aimlessly and put the economy of the nation on the orbit of realistic development.
The senatorial candidate,who.noted that whereas, Kogi state is blessed with abundant mineral and human resources, the state lagged behind due to its poor infrastructure, promised that if PDP administration comes to power,it would rectify the anomaly through good leadership and purposeful governance.
She also advised Atiku to carry along,women and youths in his governnent if given the mandate, adding that these segments of population of the country played significant role in the political process of Nigeria.
Later while addressing the large party supporters at the Kogi State stadium, Atiku promised Nigerians to consider it done, the completion and full production capacity of Ajaokuta Steel project, if he becomes Nigerian president.
Atiku also promised to make available, 10 billion dollars for youths in the country who have viable business ventures, for them to begin businesses of their choice, a development he said would lead drastic reduction in youth unemployment and create a robust economic development for the country.
He said his administration would also ensure that university strikes become a thing of the past.
On insecurity, the PDP presidential candidate assured Nigerians that they would sleep with their two eyes close, adding that his governnent would ensure that insecurity becomes a history among other programmes PDP has in its kitty to make life better for the people,if entrusted with people’s votes.
Atiku told Kogi state workforce that instances of salary arrears would be a thing of the past,if he emerges as the president of Nigeria in the next political dispensation.
He also promised to look into the poor nature of federal roads and other critical infrastructure in dire need of governnent attention, to boost social and economic development of the state and country as a whole.
Our Correspondent reports that all the speakers at the occasion, starting from the National Chairman of PDP,Sen.Iyocha Ayu, down the ladder, attested to the capability of Atiku to provide the needed leadership in accordance with the yearning and aspiration of Nigerians.
They, therefore, called on the people to trust Atiku with their votes, to enable them derive maximum benefit of dividends of democracy and for the country to witness the much desired socio-economic development.
Our Correspondent gathered that members of the party from the 21 local government areas of the state attended the occasion, the first of its by the party in 2023.
Highlight at the occasion was the presentation of three members of APC who decamped to PDP.
They are: Former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Simon Achuba, former speaker,Kogi State House of Assembly, Alhaji A. Imam and former Chairman, Okene Local Governnent Area of the state, Alhaji Yahaha Karaku.
Many of the candidates seeking electíve offices on the platform of PDP across the three Senatorial districts of the state, political bigwigs and teaming supporters of the party from the 21 local government areas of the state attended the event.
Our Correspondent further reports that the occasion provided maximum opportunity for traders to make brisk business, selling soft drinks and suvenirs among others, while transporters were busy carrying people to and from the venue of the event.
