The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has declared that the 2023 presidential election is a fight to define the souls of the country and to determine the fate of Nigerians.

Tinubu equally took a swipe at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party wants to take Nigerians back to a past the citizens should have never been.

The APC presidential candidate further lashed out at the Labour Party (LP), saying the party wants to take Nigerians back to a past that resides only in its presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s head.

The two-term former governor of Lagos State said this at the flag off of the APC presidential campaign in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Tuesday.

On his plans for the country if elected as president in 2023, Tinubu said unlike other parties “who are either dwelling on a fruitless past or a tomorrow of fantasies”, his administration hopes to chart the course of progress started by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“We hereby reaffirm our commitment to progressive good governance and to the fruits that such governance can bring to this nation.

“February 2023 is more than an election. It is a fight to define the soul of the nation and to determine our collective fate. Do we adhere to the ideals of broadly shared prosperity, competence, peace, justice and compassion toward all? Or do we toss these ideals away, lashing ourselves to the divisive politics of the past or to those whose rantings show they cannot distinguish between fact and fantasy.

“One party wants to take us back to a past that never should have been. Another party wants to take us to a past that resides only in its candidate’s head. Neither the old road nor the fantasy road is good enough.

“Instead, we forge the wiser path toward our approved destination – an even better Nigeria. This is what the election is truly about,” the APC presidential flag-bearer said.

To ensure overall energy security and resource mobilisation for the country, Tinubu promised to continue the ongoing exploration works in all frontier basins and especially speed up the development of the commercial oil find in Gombe/ Bauchi states.

Reeling out the succeses of Buhari’s administration, Tinubu said there was massive development in the agricultural, infrastructure and power sectors in the last eight years of the APC-led government.

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The former governor said: “These foundations now require more builders to make it a massive structure, calling on all Nigerians to embark on the journey with him.

“Here, I thank president Buhari again because he has truly established a strong foundation for the things we are now to do.

“The Buhari administration achieved things in the agricultural, infrastructural, and power sector no other administration has done. Additionally, his government liberated hundreds of communities from terrorists and brought thousands of displaced persons back to their homes.

“Truly the foundation has been set. It is now time to call more builders forward to further construct the national edifice that will be our best home. We, the APC and the Tinubu/Shettima team, seek to make permanent a covenant of progressive good governance with the people,” he said.

Tinubu added: “Under this hopeful pact, we will assemble the best team.

“We shall build on progress in the agricultural sector by establishing commodity boards guaranteeing minimal prices for strategic crops.

“We shall create agricultural and industrial hubs in all zones.

“You shall also see water catchment and irrigation systems to help farming while mitigating the dire effects of drought and flooding brought about by a changing climate.

“We will encourage urban employment through a national industrial plan that employs a series of measures including tax and employment credits.

“We will deepen the knowledge economy. Millions of the tech savvy, innovative youth will benefit as talented youth will find a place in our government.

“We will bring greater power through natural gas and reasonable reform of the entire power sector.

“Our government will continue the infrastructural expansion so the overall economy may continue to expand in lockstep.

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“Most importantly, I will give utmost priority to extinguishing terrorists and violent criminals. We shall augment our military, police and security personnel while providing them with better tactical communication and mobility. We will employhi-tech aerial surveillance to track and attack these menaces.

“These evil forces seek to destroy our democratic way of life. I have news for them. We will defeat their destructive way of life. They shall be utterly defeated and vanquished from our soil.”

On his part, President Buhari presented the party’s flag to Tinubu to formally present him to Nigerians as the symbol of the party ahead of the 2023 general election.

The rally had in attendance the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; and Speaker of the House Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Others were Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Ben Ayade (Cross Rivers), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).

Also in attendance were Lagos State Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat; former Governors Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), and Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; amongst others.

The Star