What Tinubu said about Atiku, Obi in Tompolo’s Gbaramatu
Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a dig at the standard bearers of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), when he visited the Pere of Gbaramatu in the Niger Delta on Friday. Gbaramatu is also the village of former insurgent Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).
“As I stand before you, there are few of us left running.
“One says he is Atiku. How many times has he been running? He is always on the run and this time, tell him to go and sit down. Enough is enough!
“The other one, he thinks na statistics we go chop. His line of arithmetic, no Indian can solve it. To mention his name is a disgrace to me. Wrong arithmetics, wrong statistics, that’s not what Nigeria needs,” Tinubu said while addressing the monarch.
The APC candidate continued: “I’m one of you. My wife is a daughter of the Niger Delta. Your in-law is also your son. No be so?’ the APC presidential candidate asked in Pidgin English to which the mammoth crowd yelled, “Na so!”
“You need honesty. You need the man who knows the road. That man is me!
“As promised, we will not be far away from you. We will carry you along. We will consult with you regularly.
“Our brothers here, we will embrace them for the development of the area, the community of Gbaramatu and other associated communities.
“I promise you economic development, progress, jobs for our youths, a promised tomorrow that is certain, and a renewed hope.
“Please, pay attention to the danger of destruction of pipelines, petroleum facilities. People are leaking gas. They are dangerous for our health, for the fishes you eat, everything you do.
“Let us see that improvement, that commitment and you will see what we will do with the savings.
“We will encourage you. We will keep our promises. We will be with you and carry you along.
“You mentioned the deep sea port, the roads, the bridge, the university, the industrial park at Ogidigben. These are the things that came to your mind.”
“The man standing before you will implement whatever he promised. You need honesty, you need commitment to perform. I embody both.
“I know the road and I will carry the Niger Delta people along. We will consult your leaders for the development of Gbaramotu Kingdom and other associated communities.”
He equally promised to get the contractor to whom the Warri-Escravos/Gbaramotu Road was awarded to deliver on the project.
The Pere of Gbaramatu conferred on Tinubu the chieftaincy title of the Iyelawei of Gbaramotu (meaning the torch bearer).
Tinubu was accompanied to the kingdom by the Deputy Senate President and APC governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Mai Mala Buni of Kano and Yobe states; Minister of State, Petroleum Resources Timiprey Sylva; Minister of State, Labour Festus Keyamo; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole.
Others on the entourage included former Governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon; former Minister of State, Niger Delta, Elder Orubebe; APC Chairman in Delta State, Elder Sobotie and a party chieftain in the state, Ayiri Emami.
