The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has pledged to transform the commercial city of Aba in Abia state and Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital into a mega city within two years if elected president of Nigeria.
Obi made the pledge on Saturday while speaking at a function at the Mater Dei Catholic Cathedral Umuahia.
The former Anambra governor disclosed that he had already told Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, how Aba would be transformed to join its neighbouring Port Harcourt.
“I told Ikpeazu today that if I become President, within two years, Aba will join Port Harcourt and they will become one city.
“Those things they produce abroad, we can produce them here in Aba and export them. We must go and compete with the world.
“The shoes in Aba must be exported. All we need is Government’s support to export it so we can make a living.”
Obi said the reason poverty rate “is high in the country is because Nigeria has remained a consuming country instead of producing nation.”
He blamed the woes of the country on poor leadership and lack of vision by those occupying leadership positions.
The former Anambra Governor noted that Nigeria is heavily endowed with talented and willing youth population but vision-less leaders have stagnated the country.
“This country has young people full of energy and talents but the old ones don’t want to give them space. So, we must find the youths a space. We must create opportunities for the poor in this country to earn a living.
“We cannot continue this way! This is not our country! A country where people cannot buy a loaf of bread is not our country. Our country must be productive. We must take back our country and end this poverty!”
The labour party presidential candidate also solicited the prayers of Nigerians for leaders in the country so they could use public funds to work for the people instead of competing in ‘squandermania.’
“I ask for your prayers. Continue to pray for Nigeria. Use me as a point of contact. Let God touch our leaders to use public money for public good.
“It’s not their personal money. They must use it for public good. We must stop this waste; there is too much waste in the system.
“People are being owed their salaries and pensions, yet those owing them are living like stars. It’s unfair!
“In 2023, we must make a difference. We must take back our country and rebuild it.”
