On Thursday in Osogbo, Osun State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), mocked his rivals in the upcoming election.

He specifically mocked Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party, and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

Tinubu urged the people of Osun State not to be deceived by the empty promises made by Atiku and Obi while addressing the large crowd at Freedom Park, Osogbo.

Tinubu compared Obi to the unprofitable servant who buried his talents, saying that while Obi was governor of Anambra State, he failed to use the state's resources to develop it, rather saving them for no reason. Tinubu said that Atiku was only interested in stealing the nation's resources and pocketing them for himself and his cronies.

“None of the other major candidates in this election have the capacity, integrity, knowledge or determination necessary to do what must be done. Only I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, am prepared and up to the task of leading this country, our cherished homeland, back towards its best destiny.

“Do not vote for the candidate of the poverty development party, Mr. Privatise, Atiku Abubakar. When, as the Vice President of this country, he had a chance to make a positive difference, he chose the lesser path.

“He chose to use his position to enrich himself, his family and his friends. He sold Nigeria’s most prized assets for a fraction of their value. In the name of privatisation, he stole from your future to enrich himself,” he said.

Tinubu said, “Worse, he has learned nothing. He has gone everywhere telling the Nigerian people that he is coming back to finish the job. He has promised that this time he will not steal your prosperity.

“You should not believe him or his greedy co-conspirators. The nation does not need the return of its Privatiser-in-Chief. Reject him and his band of foul jesters. They have no serious plans for this country. They resort to cheap and vile antics because they have no substance, no solutions.

“Be equally wary of the false messiah, Mr. Stingy, Peter Obi. This man’s promises are bold and his boasts are plentiful. Yet, when he was given the responsibility to lead just one state, he was overwhelmed by it.

“He could only stash away the money he was supposed to be using to develop the state. All the people of Anambra could hope for was that whoever came next would have better ideas.

“A governor is not a banker, expected to hold fast to his customer’s deposit. Obi was expected to build good roads, schools and hospitals. He was supposed to pay the salaries of Anambra doctors, teachers and civil servants. He was meant to nurture and empower new leaders.

“In eight years, he achieved none of these things. He is no visionary leader. He is the man who proudly buried his talents because he knew no better. This man who could not even understand the proper role of a governor cannot be trusted as the next president. Reject him.”

However, he reassured the populace and party members of his commitment to providing unsecured credit to business owners and creating employment opportunities for the unemployed.

Tinubu stated that his administration would provide the people with skills that will make them employable and ensure that the youth would not have to spend years in university as a result of lecturers' strike action. He also stated that his promise to the people would remain a binding covenant.

“I make a social covenant with you today that the unemployed among you will get job. Those with no skill will be provided the relevant skill that would put food on their table. When we get to government, we will make soft loans available for market women and business owners.”

Taking a swipe at the current Peoples Democratic Party government of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State for poor governance of the state, the APC presidential candidate charged the people that APC administration will soon return to continue the good work.

“They were given a little opportunity to rule for some months and they started misbehaving, killing and creating unrest in Osun state.”

Tinubu said that the state of Osun, which has a lot of resources, should be a place where business and tourism come to the country. If he becomes president, he would help make this a reality.

He said, “Osun is a beautiful state filled with virtuous, industrious and welcoming people. We will support Osun to become a manufacturing, industrial, agricultural and tourism paradise.

“You have fertile soil, abundant mineral resources, and a rich culture and history capable of attracting tourists from across the world.

“A vote for me is a vote to develop all parts of this state and this country. Rural areas will not be forgotten but will be developed to support more economic activities and create better lives for the people.

“At the same time, our growing urban population – you city boys – will enjoy decent jobs and a living wage.”

In addition, he listed additional actions his administration will take to ensure that people have a fulfilling life in the agricultural, educational, and security sectors.

“Our farmers will be better equipped to feed the nation. In return, they will receive decent incomes with which they can better tend to their families in addition to tending to their land.

“Our educational reforms will equip talented youth with skills needed to be globally competitive. Our policies will open access to loans and business expertise to those wanting to start their own businesses.

“The bedrock of our national security shall be strengthened. We will better equip military units with tactical communications gear and all-terrain vehicles to give them greater communications and mobility to track down criminals, bandits and terrorists.

“We will upgrade our weapons systems and exploit aerial technological superiority to further identify, monitor and subdue the criminals, terrorists and bandits who would do harm to ordinary citizens,” he added.

Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) attended the rally. Kayode Fayemi and Adegboyega Oyetola, both former governors, the former APC Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, Betta Edu, the APC National Women Leader, and other party leaders from the National Headquarters and South West.