Details of what Aspirants told delegates before began in APC Primary have been compiled by this reporter.
Newsonline reports that before voting began in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary after the aspirants addressed the delegates.
All of them promised to do better than President Muhammadu Buhari.
Former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuba, was the only aspirant who did not address the delegates.
He was supposed to speak in the second batch of four but did not show up when he was called and at the end of the exercise.
Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the challenges facing Nigeria did not require an on-the-job learner.
He said working with President Muhammadu Buhari in the last seven years prepared him for the task ahead.
He said: “Everything we can imagine or dream is within our reach. All that is left is to make the right decision tonight. So much depend on so few of us.
“A few persons will decide the future of our children and the fortune of Africa’s biggest economy. Delegates should vote right. We are a religious nation and believe in the power of prayers.
“You cannot wish this country well and vote for someone you do not believe in.
“When you vote, know that your vote carries the answer for the prayer you have prayed and for your children.
“I have served for seven years as Vice President. I have seen first-hand the challenges that confront us as a nation. There is no time to learn on the job.
“In discharging my duties, I have been prepared for the task ahead and will be ready from day one.”
Lawan
Senate President Ahmad Lawan described himself as the most qualified aspirant, given his over 23 years of experience in the Senate.
He reminded the delegates that all over the world, parliamentarians have led and are leading developed nations like the United States.
He, therefore, urged the delegates to vote for him to end the insecurity in the North, particularly in the Northwest.
“Having spent 23 years in the National Assembly, having chaired very strategic committees of agriculture and education, the committee on public accounts, having served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, having served as the Majority Leader of the Senate and serving as the President of the Senate by the grace of God, I am eminently qualified
“I have acquired sufficient experience. Working very closely with Mr President, our dear President, as the presiding officer and chairman of the National Assembly, I have learnt a lot.”
Amaechi
Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi said he was the most qualified of the aspirants.
He urged the delegates to vote for competence and track record, which he represents.
Saying he just turned 57, the former Minister of Transport said he was very experienced having served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for two terms and as Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation.
“All those who have come here to speak should have told Nigerians what they have done in their states. Judge me by my work.
“When I became Minister, the railway was moribund. Today, there are railways across the country.
“Please delegates, access us by our contributions. Don’t access us by how much we bring here; if it is by how much we bring here, as all of us – what is our source of revenue and income?
“Don’t vote for me if I lie to you. Don’t vote for me if I have not performed, but I have performed.”
Okorocha
Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, spoke of his passion for the downtrodden.
He said he was in the race to save the poor and help put a smile on their faces.
The Senator said: “I have experience in all aspects of our nation. Thank God that this power to choose is in your hand.
“You must think twice before you cast your vote. When you go back in hunger, nobody will be there with you. I am there with you. I don’t say I will because I have done it.
“I am the master of free education. I saw people without education and provided them free education.”
Onu
Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who was the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, urged the APC leadership to ensure justice and fairness in its dealings.
He reminded the APC leadership that the Southwest and Southsouth had produced President and Vice President, while the Southeast had not produced either President or Vice President since 1999.
“I am going to build on the work already done by this administration and previous leaders of our great nation. Nigeria is destined by God to be a great nation.
“Nigeria is a nation to grow enough food for its people and export the surplus, and to ensure our naira regains its strength,” Onu said.
