Delegates of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Taraba State have pledged to give at least 90 percent votes to frontline Presidential Aspirant and former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The State Chairman of the party, Barrister Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi made this known on Monday during Amaechi’s consultative visit to the delegates in Jalingo, the capital city.
El-Sudi said the party is grateful for what he referred to as Amaechi’s enormous interest in Taraba State and pledged in consonance with the delegates to deliver at least 90 percent of their votes to him at the forthcoming Presidential primaries.
“Our delegates know how to separate the chaff from the grain. Sir, we are assuring you that 90 percent of our votes will go to you. Our Emir had already spoken, therefore you should be guaranteed 90 percent (delegate votes);
“Sir, you are a grassroots politician, we know how you came up in Rivers State to become a member of the House of Assembly, Governor two times, and by the grace of God you just resigned as a Minister. Most of our delegates are legislators and I believe they will be very much comfortable with you including me, I was also a legislator,” El-Sudi assured.
Earlier, the APC Presidential hopeful, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi told the delegates that Taraba State is key to Nigeria as it is one of the biggest producers of food in the country.
He promised to invest in the Mambilla power project if he gets to the Presidency, with the view to increase power generation and distribution as well as create jobs for the people of Taraba State.
“Trust me on this, I’m going to invest in Mambilla (Power project). Take it for free, I know what is wrong with Mambilla because I was among those who went to negotiate it in China. So, if you vote for me, you are voting for yourself, because the jobs that will be created here, will be for the people of Taraba”.
According to him, the next critical sector he will also invest in Taraba is agriculture, noting that the value chain will bring industrial development to the state.
At the Palace of the Emir of Muri in Jalingo, Alhaji Abbas Njida Tafida, Amaechi acknowledged that he understands the problems of Nigeria more than other aspirants vying for the presidency with a promise to provide the workable solutions to those challenges if allowed to serve as President.
“Your Highness, we are here to fulfill one of the political traditions. You don’t enter any man’s kingdom without first, going to the owner of the kingdom to seek approval to enter the kingdom. So, we are here to seek your blessings, we are here to seek your permission to be able to talk to your delegates. I have been in public office for quite some time. I have been in office back to back, non-stop and I have done seven years as a Minister.”
“I am here because I know that if you give me your blessings I will certainly win on that day. I will not disappoint you. The reason why people elected and appointed me back to back for twenty-three years is that I take my responsibility very seriously.
“There is no aspirant that I see on stage now that has done the number of years I have done in public office, so I know what the issues are, I know how to deal with the issues by God’s grace and all I’m seeking is your support to get the power to do those things to better the lives of Nigerians and to stop insecurity,” Amaechi assured.
On his part, the Emir of Muri, HRH. Alhaji Abbas Tafida who described the former Minister, Amaechi as a man with national stature and outlook, expressed his pleasure to receive him, who he said was the first Presidential aspirant to visit him.
The Royal father assured the aspirant of his support and told him not to bother about the delegates in Taraba state because they would vote for him during the primaries.
“Without mincing words, you have seen it all, you have been through the system, you have put up a national outlook in every direction, you are a very patient person and understanding person, and you have met most of the qualities required for a perfect President of Nigeria. I wish you the best for the Presidency of Nigeria,” the Emir said.
Our correspondent reports that among the entourage of Amaechi including the former chief of Army Staff and former Ambassador, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Sen. Ali Ndume, Barrister Emmanuel Jimne, the media crew among others.
Sani Sulaiman