The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has promised to address all issues and policies limiting development in the South-East, saying Igbo’s interests will be respected and protected if elected as Nigeria’s President in 2023.

Tinubu said this while speaking at the APC presidential campaign rally held at Abakaliki Township Stadium in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital on Thursday.

The APC presidential flag-bearer, who commended Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, for his developmental projects, “some of which I commissioned yesterday (Wednesday), and his transformational and impactful leadership”, said the governor has laid a solid foundation for the state.

Speaking on his plans for the Igbo if elected as president, Tinubu said there would be no discrimination against them, the same way he encouraged them during his regime as Lagos State Governor.

“I believe in the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo. I encouraged a lot of Igbo businesses and investments in Lagos and will even do more if I become president.

“If elected, there will be no discrimination, Igbo’s interests will be respected and protected. I will also encourage policies to aid commerce and support South East states to reach their full potential.

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“I will engage the leaders of the South-East in a heart-to-heart discussion on all issues agitating their minds.

“If elected, I will address all issues and policies that tend to hinder their commerce and enterprise. I will work with businessmen and women and encourage them to make the South East the Taiwan of Africa,” he stated.

Speaking on his plans for Ebonyi State, Tinubu said: “Working with the state government, I will mechanise the Ebonyi solid minerals sector and install processing plant.

“We will expand Ebonyi’s agricultural sector and make it one of the largest rice-producing states in Africa.”

Also speaking at the rally, Governor Umahi said Tinubu believes in merit and competence, adding that the APC presidential candidate had demonstrated this in his past record of service particularly when he was governor of Lagos State.

“Asiwaju knows the road, we must follow him. He has shown that he loves and trusts Igbo and our people.

“He has been here since yesterday. He slept here in Abakaliki and ate our food. Only a man who loves you eats your food,” he said.

Others at the rally were APC’s vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Kashim Shettima; Deputy National Chairman, South, Emma Enekwu, representing the party’s National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; and the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kebbi, Sen. Atiku Bagudu; amongst others.

The Star