Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restore Kano’s lost glory as the hub of commence, industry and agriculture if elected.

Atiku made the promise while addressing a mammoth crowd of party supporters at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State on Sunday.

Movement within and around the facility was difficult as a result of the crowd.

He said, “Vote for PDP; if you vote the PDP, I promise that I will restore Kano’s lost  glory. The wealth of Kano is in its trade and commerce; the wealth of Kano is in its agriculture. I make this solemn pledge today to revive all these sectors which have been killed.

“I also promise to ease (issues around) pilgrimage to the holy land. Please remember, vote PDP from top to bottom, bottom to top. God bless you.”

Earlier, National Chairman of PDP, Mr Uche Secondus said, “Those of you watching on television and on Android telephones, you can see that Kano has fallen. Kano is now 100 per cent PDP; nobody can come to Kano and rig you out.”

He charged security agencies to be neutral in the discharge of their duties before, during and after the elections.

Security agencies had a hard time controlling the crowd of party supporters who thronged the stadium.

The surging crowd prevented the open bus which conveyed Akitu and other party leaders from reaching the podium initially prepared for Atiku to present his speech. This forced PDP candidate to present his short address from the bus.

No fewer than nine persons slumped at the venue as a massive crowd flooded the stadium; residents lined up the streets to welcome Atiku and his team to the ancient commercial capital considered a stronghold of President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress.

Six of those who fainted were six males, while the remaining three were females.

Atiku and his team had earlier paid a courtesy call on Emir of Kano, Mr Muhammadu Sanusi II.

He was accompanied on the visit by Senate President Mr Bukola Saraki, who is director-general of Atiku campaign team; and a former Governor of Kano State, Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, among others.

Meanwhile, Atiku and Secondus said they were overwhelmed by the number of people that received them in Kano.

Atiku said, “Did you notice that Sani Abacha Stadium was filled to capacity and those who could not get access spilled into the town and literarily locked down the city?”

Also, Secondus said with what the party witnessed in Kano on Sunday, it was apparent that “Kano and the entire North-West are for PDP.”

Punch