All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday reflected on the fuel scarcity and the naira design crisis, which have attracted condemnation by many Nigerians.

He said the petroleum scarcity and complaints about currency redesign were plots by unpatriotic elements and saboteurs to embarrass the Buhari administration and scuttle the proposed elections.

But, the APC candidate, who said the tricks will collapse, fired salvos at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that it will be defeated on poll day.

Tinubu said reminiscent of the 2015 and 2019 elections, the PDP will fail in next month’s polls.

He urged Nigerians to anticipate an electoral revolution on February 25, adding that prospective voters should get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ready to elect him as the best candidate for president.

Tinubu said his blueprint, which offers solutions to many pressing challenges confronting the country, will be implemented faithfully.

He emphasised that the path to the future will be charted by the electorate on election day when they make the right choice.

Tinubu promised to end the perennial fuel scarcity and restore order to the troubled oil and gas sector at a rally in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

The APC candidate urged the people to re-elect Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates of the party.

He said: “Vote all the way. Governor Dapo Abiodun’s second term bid is guaranteed.”

Tinubu noted that opposition parties were exploiting the fuel scarcity and complaints about the naira redesign to campaign against the ruling party.

The former Lagos State governor, who spoke in English and Yoruba, said: “I came to appeal and solicit for your votes. This election is a revolution. We will use superior revolution and PVCs to get power.

“They are using fuel scarcity to distract Nigerians. I assure you, it will be a thing of the past. They are hoarding fuel and new naira notes to frustrate Nigerians. They don’t want the election.

“I will reduce the price of fuel. Be rest assured that I will solve the fuel crisis. Let them keep the fuel; keep hoarding the money; change the money. We shall defeat them. PDP will fail again, it doesn’t matter whatever they do.”

He added: “Great Nigerian youth, this is a revolution. This election is a revolution. They think they can bamboozle us or confuse us with fuel scarcity. We shall bring the fuel price down. They didn’t want this election, but they have failed.”

Tinubu said in the first 24 months of his government, one million ICT jobs will be provided.

Exuding confidence and optimism, he said electoral revolution was in the offing, advising voters to vote for him and other APC candidates in the February and March elections.

Tinubu, accompanied by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, addressed a carnival-like rally at the Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, where party faithful and supporters were in one accord.

Joy was bold on the faces of Tinubu and other party leaders as they were ushered into the stadium by a huge crowd that had waited for them for hours.

Party supporters who were decked in various attires and carrying banners supporting Abiodun and senatorial candidates Salisu Suhaib (Ogun Central), Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (West) and former Governor Gbenga Daniel (East) sand and danced.

On the podium was the ace fuji musician, Chief Ayinde Wasiu, who thrilled the crowd with philosophical songs.

Nollywood actors and actresses, including Jide Kosoko, Hassan Ogogo, Foluke Daramola, Yinka Quadri, Fathia Balogun, Saidi Balogun and Remi Surutu, also stormed the venue to entertain the crowd.

The governor and parliamentary candidates received party flags from the party leadership.

Prominent Southwest leaders showed up in solidarity with the governor, attesting to his achievements in the last three and half years, and showcasing his manifestos for a brighter future.

At the special rally were House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his wife, Dr. Ibijoke, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahmaan AbdulRazaq, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Lagos State Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, his wife, Oluremi, Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa who represented Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, former interim National Chairman of the APC Chief Bisi Akande, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola, former APC National Chairman who is also the Deputy Director-General of the presidential campaign council, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Ogun APC leader, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.

The rally was also witnessed by APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, National Women Leader Betta Edu, National Youth Leader Dayo Israel, one-time Lagos State Finance Commissioner Wale Edun; Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa; Seyi Tinubu, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Segun Erewa, Senator Gbenga Obadara, Otunba Femi Pedro, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Ijaloja-General Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, Abiodun Akinlade, former Ogun State Deputy Governors Yetunde Onanuga and Salmot Badru; and former Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker Saraj Adekunbi.

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former governor of Ogun State, was absent. The event coincided with his 65th birthday.

A staunch supporter of Tinubu, he had in a message wished the Jagaban Borgu a successful rally in the state.

Tinubu praised the party supporters for their commitment, noting that they trooped out in large numbers, despite the current fuel scarcity.

Speaking to the youth, the APC candidate said they will enjoy quality education, not truncated by strikes, and jobs after graduation.

He said: “I guarantee you one thing; there will be student loans. Nobody will drop out of university because of school fees; nobody will have to repeat one class for eight years and not graduate. We will make a four-year course four years course.

“A Tinubu administration will create over one million jobs in ICT in the next 24 months.

“The fine and skilled graduates of the Ogun Tech Hub will be able to find work as they continue to contribute towards our overall economic well-being.”

On his industrial policy, Tinubu said: “My industrial policy will carry you to the finish line. My plan is to deploy all available measures, from tax credits and youth employment incentives to tariffs to affordable loans and investment so that your industrial base is strengthened, broadened and widened.

“This will produce more wealth and valuable goods, improving the living standards of all Nigerians. It will also spur such job creation in Ogun that everyone looking for work will be able to find it. We will seek to cut youth unemployment nationwide by a third.

“Here, in industrially active Ogun, the decline in the jobless rate will be even more than that.

“We shall invest in infrastructure in such a manner that all aspects of your daily lives will be touched.

“Roads and public transportation will be augmented, reducing traffic congestion and allowing you to go from home to work or to the market faster, cheaper and safer.”

The standard bearer also promised to revive dead factories in the state through investments in power generation.

Acknowledging Ogun’s proximity to Lagos, Tinubu promised to create Ogun agricultural and industrial hubs, while working with local farmers to increase the production and exportation of agricultural produce.

He said: “Rice, corn, plantain cocoa and palm kernels from Ogun will be more actively traded.

“Moreover, we shall spur investment in the agro-allied business to create additional jobs while also generating more income for our local, state and national economies.

“We will support other drivers of value within the start-up ecosystem, including technology hubs and parks.

“Ogun is truly a place of innovation and growth for it is the home of many great local and international factories including Dangote Cement, Nestle, Lafarge Cement, and Procter & Gamble.

“As we become a nation of producers and not just consumers, Ogun State will play a critical role.

“We will support the development of the best that the modern digital and IT-driven sectors have to offer.

“We will provide the complementary infrastructure required for growth, including wider internet connectivity.”

Tinubu added: “With innovation, courage and creativity, we will harness modern technology to create jobs and provide goods and services that will unlock greater prosperity.

“By harmonising the National Infrastructure Policy with the National Industrial Policy, we will develop key sectors and spur economic growth.

“Our goal is to grow our industrial base, encourage industries vital to national development and become a global contender.”

Tinubu drew a correlation between security and socio-economic development, promising to make the nation safe and habitable for all.

He stressed: “As we work towards achieving overall peace and stability, we will continue to strengthen the economy and renew the confidence in our citizens of a home where they can live and thrive.

“With regard to security, we will ensure that Ogun continues to be a safe and peaceful state. Our security policy is bold yet wise and pragmatic. We shall keep trouble from coming to you. We shall pursue terrorists, kidnappers and criminals where they are.”

An excited Abiodun, accompanied by his deputy, Noimot Oyedele, urged the people of Ogun to look at Tinubu’s track record, which had placed him above other candidates, and deliver bloc votes to him.

He assured Tinubu and Shettima of a 100 per cent vote in Ogun State.

He said: “Asiwaju was a senator. So, he is knowledgeable in the area of the country’s laws.

“He became the governor of Lagos State and transformed it into the biggest economy in Africa.

“He then brought up successors who have worked on the template he put in place to continue to bring progress in Lagos.

“This is the man that now wants to replicate the same in Nigeria and bring joy to our faces. None of the other candidates can be compared to him in any way.

“I want to urge you to go and get your PVCs because that is the only way you can vote in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dapo Abiodun and other candidates.”

Osoba urged the people to vote for “City Boy” Tinubu to enable him to replicate at the national level all he has achieved in Lagos State.

He noted that Lagos had contributed to the success of prominent Nigerians from the six geo-political zones, including the Ojukwus, Dantatas, and Okotie-Ebohs, adding that now is the time to pay the state back by supporting Tinubu.