Presidential Candidate of the People’s Trust (PT), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has assured Nigerians that the party, if voted into power in the forthcoming general elections, will deliver 24th century economy that will be secured, prosperous and modern.

He gave the assurance at the presidential campaign flag-off of the party on Saturday, held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

According to him, “I am grateful to God for this occasion as it marks a turning point for Nigeria. We are at the point where we need to exchange instability for stability. We are aiming to stop violence and make this country a place where lives will count.

“Let me assure you that by the time we are elected, we will build a United Nigeria. Many states, as it is, are dominated by the agents of destruction. They have been overtaken by kidnappers, thugs, and other social vices. And it’s a pity that youth unemployment has risen to a point that we can no longer tolerate.”

Olawepo-Hashim added: “We want to build economy that will guarantee jobs and empower our women. We will achieve 4-trillion-dollar economy in ten years. We will empower the states to have their police so that internal security can be enhanced. We will build a Nigeria where every Nigerian will be proud of their passports because of foreign policy.”

While saying that the party is determined to put an end to poverty and squalor unleashed on Nigerians by the incumbent government, the presidential flag bearer said: “You cannot fight corruption efficiently with a low minimum wage. As a party ready to build a new nation, we will raise the minimum wage to 50,000.”

Continuing, he said: “We have no relationship with poverty with the amount of resources the country has. We are not making empty promises. You can trust us for democracy, security, jobs and a new Nigeria. For 27 years, I have been creating jobs.

“I will be a commander in chief for all Nigerians not some Nigerians. That is the Nigeria the PT will take back. We will create a knowledge-based economy. We will deliver a 24th century economy that will be secured, prosperous and modern.”

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, who spoke earlier in while addressing the mammoth crowd, said: “We took a resolute decision to form this Movement we are seeing today. We have reunited under a broad platform called Third Force and by God’s grace and power, we will win. Let us go together.”

Also speaking, the Director General of the party’s campaign organisation, Alhaji Aliu Abufari, in his speech, stressed: “Today, the tree of new nation is being planted. As we all know, our country has become a community of poor people but today marks a new beginning. We have been devastated by insecurity from the North East extended to every part of the country but we want a turn-around.”

He added that the menace of militancy, Internet fraud, kidnappers have become the order of the day in the country while the young people have become social nuisance to the communities.

Reacting to the notion that there are only three political parties in Nigeria, Abufari said that “it is true”.

According to him, “To them, there are only political parties, APC, PDP and others. That’s true but Third Force representing the others. That is the only party that will take care of all the ills. We have the person that will deliver the country. We are expecting 80 million votes of Nigerians. The victory is there for us to take.”

Chairmen of the states under the platform of the party who were in attendance to solidarise with the presidential candidate included those of Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Ekiti, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Imo, Plateaue, Taraba, Jigawa and Benue.

Barrister Anthony Akigha, who spoke on behalf of the state chairmen represented at the event, said: “We are ready to go and win the elections across the states. Our people are fully mobilised and will deliver. Nigerians are tired of the two bad coins leading this country and that is why we are craving for a new leadership.”

Also in attendance were the grand-daughter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mrs Funke Awolowo; Nollywood actress Racheal Oniga and few other members in the industry who came to give their unalloyed support to Olawepo-Hashim.

Oniga briefly quipped: “We are here to support one of our own. We are supporting him and will deliver him. In May, we are going to celebrate in Aso Rock.”

Ten presidential candidates have also dropped their ambition to support Olawepo-Hashim.

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