Newsonline reports that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has likened himself to the late First Republic Prime Minister, Sir Tafawa Balewa.
This online news understands that Atiku, who spoke yesterday at a campaign rally in Gombe, said the 2023 presidential poll would be an opportunity for Gombe residents to produce another Balewa.
He said: “Many of you were not born at the time the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was in office. You now have another opportunity to produce another Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in me. Don’t you want another Tafawa Balewa in the Northeast?
“This can only be actualised by voting PDP. And here I am, the one that will give you the opportunity to have another Tafawa Balewa.”
The PDP candidate promised to support business owners to establish industries that would provide jobs for youths, if elected president in 2023.
He also promised to revive the now moribund Dadin Kowa Dam, which used to provide power for businesses and irrigation for farming communities in the Northeast.
“If you elect me, I will enhance farming so that our farmers have the opportunity to farm both in rainy and dry seasons. Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe are all interconnected. Therefore, I will ensure that we build roads to enhance smooth trips within these states with ease and ensure that commerce thrives,” he said.
Also, three persons yesterday sustained various degrees of injury in clashes between Kalare boys and supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The former Vice President was in Gombe for his party’s presidential campaign.
This happened on the heels of the confirmation of a big division in Gombe State PDP by its Publicity Secretary Usman Muritala.
Muritala, who spoke with our correspondent while reacting to the clash between the Kalare boys and supporters of his party, said he was not invited to the programme and was never part of the planning team.
“I was not on the podium and was only there as an official of the party. So, I sat like every other person to watch the whole show. There is a division in the party, a very big one,” he said.
Also, a former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo has dumped the group led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
He declared support for Atiku yesterday. He described Atiku’s presidential bid as a Northeast project.
Trouble started after Atiku Abubakar left with his entourage through the second gate of Pantami Stadium for Bauchi.
The Kalare boys, who allegedly carried weapons, such as cutlass, swords, clubs and other dangerous weapons, pounced on innocent party supporters who were dispersing to their homes.
In the process, three persons were injured, three vehicles comprising a bus, a car and one Keke NAPEP’s windshield, were smashed in an ambush on Pantami Stadium Road.
The policemen at the gate of the stadium deployed a detachment of armed policemen in the area to provide security for supporters who were rushing back into the stadium for safety.
Pockets of violent attacks were also noticed on the Government House Road while the crowd was trying to escape from the venue of the campaign.
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