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The Presidential election is just around the corner and several groups and individuals are mobilising in support for their preferred candidate candidate, though there are over 70 candidates registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the poll, it is generally believed that only the candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) President Mohammadu Buhari and that of the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have realistic chance of emerging victorious.
It is no surprise, therefore, that endorsement and support of groups only centre on these candidates. It is to this end that a close member of the administration and an indigene of the Niger Delta, an area of the country where President Buhari did quite poorly in the last election has embarked on a serious campaign for the president in the region.
The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Professor Charles Dokubo, is leading the charge for the Buhari reelection drive in the area. Dokubo believed it is in the best interest of Nigeria and the Niger Delta in particular for Buhari to return for a second term in office.
Dokubo said: “We are here to tell the whole world that President Buhari and Prof. Charles Dokubo have done well.
“Since his appointment about nine months ago, Dokubo has done a lot to endear the people of the Niger Delta to Mr President and the Federal Government. For example, since he came into office he has started reviving all the moribund and abandoned training centres for the Amnesty Programme.
“As a matter of fact, he has done enough and he is still doing more. We are queuing up behind President Buhari and Prof. Dokubo because they have done well and we believe both men would take the Niger Delta to the next level.
“Our people have come to show Mr President and I support which will go a long way. This office belongs to all of you and I was appointed to change the tune and narratives in the Niger Delta.
“It is not only about paying N65, 000 monthly stipends to a few people, but the president is also concerned about massive capacity building that would lead to gainful employment of our teeming youths. The president is supporting us to create small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta.
“In essence, that is what we are currently doing for Mr President in the Niger Delta through the Amnesty Office. I can confirm to you again and again that President Buhari has continued to give us all the support and backing we need. So in return, I am urging you all to retain him in office as our president by voting massively for him in the forthcoming election
“Need for the sustenance of lasting peace, development, stability and showcasing the activities/achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Amnesty Office in the Niger Delta Region.
“The N-Power Initiative has engaged a lot of Niger Delta Youths, so also is the Anchor Borrower Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria which is giving loans to farmers, thereby keeping people gainfully engaged.
“While genuine concerns and complaints of ex-agitators and stakeholders are being attended to, the Amnesty office is currently paying the monthly stipends and other financial obligations regularly since President Buhari came to office.
“Let me place on record that we are able to achieve all these because of the staunch and unalloyed support President Muhammadu Buhari has been giving the Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta as a whole.
On his fatherly watch, we have since re-worked the Programme to focus on not just training but also job creation and empowerment of already trained beneficiaries. I can confirm to all stakeholders gathered here today that President Buhari loves the Niger Delta and its people and I urge you all to give Mr. President your full support as he seeks to take our great country to the next level.”
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