REMARKS BY H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, CON, DG APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL AND GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE AT THE TOWN HALL MEETING AND DIALOGUE BETWEEN ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY/ORGANISED PRIVATE SECTOR HELD AT EKO HOTEL AND SUITES, VICTORIA-ISLAND LAGOS ON NOVEMBER 1ST 2022.

Protocols

1.  I am delighted to welcome distinguished members of the Nigerian Business Community and Organised Private Sector to this very important Town Hall Meeting with the Presidential Candidate of the biggest party in Africa the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban Borgu. I bring you the goodwill and best wishes of the Chairman of the PCC President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the entire members of the Council.

2.  This Town Hall Meeting and interaction is one of the avenues adopted by the PCC to ensure that our Presidential Candidate and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima break down the details of their Action Plan to all relevant sectors of the Nigerian electorate. You will recall that our candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave highlights of his vision for a greater Nigeria when he unveiled his Action Planned entitled “Renewed Hope” at the Presidential Villa Abuja recently.

3.  In the process of engagement with key stakeholders within the Nigerian project, Asiwaju has decided to meet and speak directly with you about the details of his Renewed Hope agenda particularly as it relates to the economy which is your primary constituency. This is because apart from underscoring the important role that you play in building the economic fortunes of Nigeria, he believes that with your support, he will achieve his goals of transforming the nation when elected into office.

4.  Most, if not all of you have known Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in one way or the other, and have also benefitted from his political and economic policies that have made sure Lagos remains the economic capital of Nigeria. Since 1999 when he became Governor of Lagos till today when many Governors have run the State after him, there is no time that the name “Tinubu” does not come up when you talk about the prosperity of this State and many others across the region.

5.  He is a man of vision who belies that nation-building requires a systematic approach of generating and implementing innovative ideas to governance where the best brains are assembled and given responsibilities under supervision and with expect results that are evaluated. That is why he stands tall among most of his pears and all those seeking to govern Nigeria in 2023. We believe that his antecedents and records of turning waste to wealth and turning despondency to hope makes him the best candidate for the job.

6.  I am sure that this forum will enable many of you the opportunity to highlight and recall some of the policies which he initiated that have stood the test of time under various Governors that took over from him. For us in the APC, marketing the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential brand to the business community in Nigeria is not a difficult task because Asiwaju is a successful businessman and one that has mentored and supported many successful businessmen and women. He has turned street boys into business owners and has removed many from poverty.

7.  His manifesto “Renewed Hope” which will be part of this discourse has already outlined practical steps and decisions to be taken on various sectors of the economy once he comes into office. I know that you will take him up on all issues in the document which concern you or require clarification. As DG of the PCC and with the hindsight of working closely with him, I can assure you that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is passionate about bringing prosperity to all Nigerians through providing the right environment for the private sector to thrive.

8.  Apart from his commitment to revamp energy and power, he has vowed to root out all security threats in whatever form and from all parts of the country. Asiwaju is eager to put our youths to work and reducing poverty through job creation and opening up opportunities. This can only be achieved with your support as you are the people that will create these jobs when his government gives you the conducive environment to operate and thrive.  

9.  Once again I welcome you and urge you to feel free to engage the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu “the City Boy” who is at home with the business community and organised sector in no other place than Lagos which has his footprints all over. I wish us all a successful engagement.

10. God bless the APC, God bless Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG, CON

DG APC Presidential Campaign Council & Governor, Plateau State.

1st November 2022.