The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in next month’s General Election, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restore the over 10 million jobs lost under the present administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking in Minna on Wednesday at the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally in Minna, Niger State capital, the former Vice President said the APC-led Federal Government has failed in its three cardinal campaign promises of fixing the economy, fighting insecurity and corruption.

According to him, there is a nexus between unemployment and insecurity, assuring that if elected, he would not only provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths but also provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

He said: “Let me remind those of you who perhaps were born in 1999 when PDP started governing Niger State. The roads infrastructure that you have in Niger State were constructed by the PDP government. The schools that you attended were built by PDP government. The hospitals that you are attending were built by PDP government.

“And then in 2015, they came to tell us that PDP did not do anything. We should change. And we changed. And they promised to fight corruption, to improve our economy and also to secure our country. Have they achieved anyone of these three? When they came in, there was insecurity only in North East. Today, there is insecurity in North West and North Central. And we have lost more lives at any other time in the history of this country in peaceful times. They have failed as far as security is concerned.

“When it comes to the issue of economy, we have lost more jobs, over 10 million jobs, to the extent that Nigeria has been declared the headquarters of poverty in the world. This is a record. Have they fulfilled that promise? Now I want to promise you that if you vote PDP, we will restore the jobs that had been lost. You either get a job or get a business to do.

“So, this is a promise and a commitment I am making on behalf of PDP and if you vote for PDP. I want to commit to you that if you vote for PDP, the insecurity which they have not been able to control, we shall control it. They have been unable to control insecurity because they have been unable to provide jobs and businesses for the people. So by the time we provide jobs and businesses for our young men and women, you will hear less crime and less insecurity.

“So, I want to promise you on behalf of our great party to sack the APC government and let us send them packing. Like I use to say, Buhari must go!!! APC must go!!!”

On his part, Director General of the campaign council and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, lamented the growing level of poverty and urged supporters not to ignore that factor during voting.

Dignitaries at the event include: immediate past governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; his counterpart from Kano State and current senator representing Kano Central, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Taraki, PDP governorship candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Umar Mohammed Nasko; Senate Minority Whip, Phillip Aduda among others.

•Sourced from a BusinessDay report

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