Atiku tells Gombe supporters to make him another Tafawa Balewa

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has called on his supporters to produce another Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in him.

Atiku was campaigning in Gombe when he made the statement on Monday.

The PDP presidential candidate told his supporters that some of them were not born when former prime minister Tafawa Balewa was alive, and that they have the opportunity to produce another Balewa by electing him as president.

Balewa, a teacher who later went on to become Nigeria’s prime minister, was said to be an “advocate of reform” and “defender of northern special interests”.

“Let me reiterate the promises we made if by the grace of God and you support the PDP. We promised to empower your businessmen to expand their businesses so that they can expand their businesses for our young men and women,” Abubakar said.

“We also promised you that the Dadin Kowa Dam, which was built by the PDP to provide electricity and irrigation, will be activated for electricity and irrigation, provided you support the government of the PDP.

“We will make sure that all the roads linking Gombe to Adamawa with Borno, Bauchi, and Yobe are all reconstructed to enhance trade and commerce.

“Many of you were not born at the time the late prime minister, sir Tafawa Balewa, was in office. You now have another opportunity to produce another Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in me.”