Many communities in Plateau have been living at the mercy of suspected herdsmen, who have been killing, maiming and kidnapping residents with reckless abandon.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar says insecurity is escalating in the country because the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration do not know how to govern.
Many communities in Plateau have been living at the mercy of suspected herdsmen, who have been killing, maiming and kidnapping residents with reckless abandon.
Speaking at the PDP presidential campaign rally held in Jos on Tuesday, Atiku commiserated with the families of those killed, regretting that the victims met their untimely deaths in a gruesome manner.
He asked God to heal Nigeria and accept all the souls that had been lost to the gruesome killings.
Atiku also promised to restore peace and economic stability and build infrastructure in Plateau if elected President in 2023.
He vowed to ensure that roads in the state connecting neighbouring states are fixed to promote economic development.
“Plateau killings must stop. We will stop it, the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration does not know how to govern, they have failed,” he said.
He said, “It is a homecoming for me. I have been a resident in Jos for 28 years.
“If you vote for PDP, we will revamp the economy, fix roads and connect them to other states and bring peace to women and children in the state.”
“Do you promise to return PDP to the centre?” he asked the crowd.
The party’s vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, told the crowd, “There is sign we are winning the election. APC took Nigeria down the hill but Atiku will turn things around. There is hunger in the land, no employment but Atiku, a man of honour, with experience and knowledge, will turn things around. He is the only one capable by experience to stop the insecurity in the country.
“Come out in February and campaign for Atiku and we will reward you greatly.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the PDP, Iyorcha Ayu told the supporters of the party not to vote for APC in the next election if the state wants to witness infrastructure development and peace.
He said, “Don’t vote a party that will not bring development to the state, vote PDP and we will not shut your universities for one year. See what Jonah Jang did and we can replicate that if you vote PDP.”