HE presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has promised to defeat and eliminate terrorists if elected in the forthcoming general elections.
He also assured the Katsina electorate of his readiness to cater for the children and widows of victims of the terrorist attacks in all parts of the country.
Tinubu stated this on Monday during a campaign rally in Katsina, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, where he met residents mourning the death of over 100 civilians killed by terrorists in the last four days.
He also empathised with the victims and their families, promising to deal with the terrorists squarely.
“We are bold, courageous and we believe in God. We are better than them, trust us. We will not forget your efforts. This is your government.
“We will never allow them to govern you again. Say no to PDP and evils. We will definitely work with Buhari,” he added.
The President thanked the Katsina supporters for waiting four hours to welcome the APC campaign team, urging them to mobilise their families to vote for the party to ensure continuity.
He said his administration had performed well from 2015 to date despite the crash in oil price at the global oil market.
Buhari, however, condoled with families of the deceased persons, urging people to always report anyone perpetrating crimes to security agencies for action to be taken.
The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, told the gathering of supporters at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, the venue for the campaign, that there was a slight change in the campaign programmes.
According to him, the change was due to terrorists attack in Bakori Local Government Area (LGA) of the state which led to the death of over 100 innocent persons.
“Leadership is not joking, people should focus their attention on good leadership. There is a difference between the light and the darkness.
“We have never had government that impacted positively on the lives of citizens like that of Buhari. Over N38 billion has been sent to Katsina State alone in the last six years.
“Don’t allow other politicians to play with your intelligence. Don’t listen to them and their fake promises of ending insecurity and hunger.
“Tinubu has yesterday donated the sum of N100 million to the victims of bandits attack in Bakori LGA of Katsina State. So, it’s necessary to vote for APC from top to bottom.
“We have done what is good for the people, hence people should allow APC to continue,” he noted.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Katsina APC Chairman, Muhammad Sani Ali, pledged to give massive support to the APC presidential candidate, stating that the calibre of supporters is a clear indication that Katsina is for APC.
On his part, the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, presented APC flags to the Katsina governorship candidate, Dr Dikko Radda, asking the citizens in the state to put the deceased in prayers at all times.
“What’s before us is to pray for them for God to grant them eternal rest,” he said.
Also, the Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, delivered condolences to Buhari and the people of the state over the tragedy.
Present at the rally were the vice-presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima; governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.
Others included governors of Kano, Kwara, Niger and Borno states as well as other party exco members.
Prayers were offered for the souls of the deceased and victims of bandit attacks in the state.
Earlier, on arrival in the state, Buhari led Tinubu, Shettima, and other party exco members to pay a courtesy visit to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, who had been outside the country for a medical trip.