By Oyintokoni Joel , Yenagoa
The Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Monday presented certificates of return to the party’s National Assembly candidates, and certificates and flags to the 24 candidates for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
The presentation took place during his visit to Toru-Orua Community, Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
After the presentation, Senator Kwankwaso addressed the gathering. He thanked the National Chairman, leaders of the party in the zone, candidates, community members and those who received the delegation.
Senator Kwankwaso described the NDC as a party to reckon with in the country, both in the South and in the North.
According to him, the party has a credible presidential candidate, a credible leader and credible candidates across the country.
He said the party leader has given Nigerians an alternative, adding that Nigerians now have a choice to make.
“Now we have, if you like, two parties, the APC as he said today, and of course this God-given party, the NDC. Now Nigerians are given the choice,” he said.
Speaking on the state of the nation, he listed insecurity, economy, agriculture, poverty and illiteracy as issues Nigerians are concerned about.
He said the NDC believes in supporting young men and women to have education, and that the party and its candidates have agreed that no Nigerian child, whether in the North or in the South, should be left out of education.
“Nobody will be excluded because his father cannot pay school fees. We have done it in Kano and my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi has done it in his state,” he said.
He also spoke about tax. He said the tax law already passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President is being implemented, but that the bigger side of it will come only after the election.
He said the party believes that those who require support must be supported, from farmers to fishermen.
Senator Kwankwaso appealed to all, especially young men and women, not only to go out and vote, but to also defend their votes.
“Don’t start looking for policeman or anybody wearing uniform to come and protect your votes. It is our collective responsibility,” he said.
He said in Kano, the party told everybody that it would send official agents to INEC, but at the same time, every member is an agent.
He warned supporters not to vote and go back to sleep, adding that there are claims that votes will be rigged, and that such must not be allowed to happen in the country.
He thanked the young men and women who participated in the boat ride, and said he would convey their message to the party’s presidential candidate.
According to him, he has already started discussing with the leader on how the river can be dredged to connect towns, villages and states from the area up to the northern part of the country.
The National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, also addressed the gathering. He welcomed the National Chairman, the State Chairman, all candidates and supporters who were present for what he described as a symbolic but very important assignment of handing over flags.
He thanked the supporters for their hard work for almost one year, saying they started working even before the formal announcement of the party.
Senator Dickson said he was aware that many supporters were hungry, angry, without jobs and without patronage, and were managing victimization and intimidation.
He said he introduced to the Vice Presidential candidate the only woman elected local government chairman in the area, who he said was removed from office.
According to him, it was through the support of the people that power was given to those now in authority, but he said they have now gone a different way.
Senator Dickson urged supporters not to abuse or fight anybody, even though they disagree with the decision and direction taken by those who left.
“They are still our people, they are still my people. If they see the light and they join us, we will receive them,” he said.
He said the NDC is the people’s party, and that the struggle is for the people, not for personal fight. He described Senator Kwankwaso and the party’s presidential candidate as good people and tested leaders, and said they have experience in leadership.
“These are tested generals. There is nothing in this that he doesn’t know,” he said. He urged supporters to continue to mobilize for the NDC, without fighting anybody.
Highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the Campaign Council by the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Cleopas Moses, headed by Professor Opuala Charles as Chairman of the Council.
