Atiku promises true federalism, economic recovery

Former Vice President and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has promised true federalism and economic recovery, if he is elected president.

He also urged delegates at the party’s primaries holding this weekend in Abuja to consider his blueprint as panacea to myriads of challenges facing the country.

In his 74-page manifesto, tagged, ‘My covenant with Nigerians’, he said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reversed the gains of democracy since 2015, noting: “Nigeria’s unity has never been threatened like now.”

He said: “Today, an increasing number of citizens openly challenge their allegiance to Nigeria’s corporate existence through violent agitations and misguided demands for ethno-regional autonomy because of widespread feelings of marginalisation and neglect.

Nigeria has never been so overwhelmed by insecurity in all parts of the country. Sadly, we have reached a point where the functions of the state have been usurped by separatists, bandits and terrorist groups.”

He said despite vast resources, Nigeria has remained one of the poorest and unequal countries in the world, noting: “Our economy is fragile and vulnerable. Job losses, eroding incomes and lack of citizens’ access to basic amenities have pushed more than 90 million people below the poverty line.

“The public education system is ill-equipped and has consistently underperformed, keeping millions of our children out of school and producing graduates with skills and competencies, which are not aligned to the needs of our communities and our industries. Incessant industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions of educational institutions have undoubtedly affected the quality of our workforce with far reaching consequences on the economy.”

Abubakar, who said hope is not lost, disclosed that he has painstakingly studied problems facing the country and has come with a five-point agenda that will not only restore Nigeria’s lost glory but also put it on the path of economic recovery where life will become meaningful to all Nigerians.

He said: “I am offering myself again to provide the desired leadership. I have a history of economic reform and political transformation. As a private businessman of many years, I have a deep understanding of our economy and its challenges.”

The former Vice President said top of his agenda is to “restore Nigeria’s unity through equity, social justice, as well as cooperation and consensus among our heterogeneous peoples”.

He promised to establish a strong and effective democracy and government that guarantees the safety and security of life and property.

According to him, “I will build a strong, resilient, and prosperous economy that creates jobs and wealth and lifts the poor out of poverty; promote a true federal system which will provide for a strong Federal Government to guarantee national unity while allowing the federating units to set their own priorities; and improve and strengthen the education system to equip its recipients with the education and skills required to be competitive in the new global order which is driven by innovation, science and technology.”