Balewa, from Bauchi State was the only political leader of Nigeria to have emerged from the North-East.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has told the people of the North East geo-political zone that he could be their next Tafawa Balewa during the 2023 general elections.
Balewa, from Bauchi State was the only political leader of Nigeria to have emerged from the North-East.
He was the first Prime Minister of Nigeria after it gained independence.
Balewa served his term as Prime Minister from 1957 until he died in 1966 when he was kidnapped and killed in the country’s first military coup.
Speaking at a rally in Gombe, the Gombe State capital on Monday, Atiku said if the people of the region vote for him, he will bring back the fond memories of the Bauchi-born late former Prime Minister.
“When Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the Prime Minister, most of you were not born. Don’t you want another Tafawa Balewa in the Northeast? This can only be actualised by voting PDP and here I am the one that will give you the opportunity to produce another Tafawa Balewa,” he said.
He recalled that the states in the region were once linked by a network of roads to enhance trade and commerce, promising that if elected, he will restore the lost glory.
According to him, all the roads linking Gombe to Adamawa with Borno, with Bauchi, with Yobe will be reconstructed for the purposes of enhancing trade and commerce under his government.
Atiku also vowed to stop Boko Haram while citing the instance of Adamawa State, which he said, had been able to deal with the menace.
He promised to revive Dadin Kowa Dam to generate light for the country if elected in the forthcoming election.
“Let me reiterate the promises we made if by the grace of God, 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.
“We also promised you that the Dadin Kowa Dam, which was built by the PDP to provide electricity and irrigation, is activated for electricity and irrigation, provided you support the government of PDP.
“We will make sure that all the roads linking Gombe to Adamawa with Borno, with Bauchi, with Yobe are all reconstructed for the purposes of enhancing trade and commerce.
“Many of you were not born the time the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was in office. You now have another opportunity to produce another Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in me.”