NNPP, Abure task FG, opposition on nation-building
As the country marks its 64th Independence anniversary, the opposition Labour Party (LP) has called for urgent reforms to address pressing challenges. The Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of LP, Sen Nenadi Usman, urged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey to self-governance while confronting the harsh realities it faces.
On his part, embattled Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, in a statement to commemorate the Independence, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to expedite action against challenges slowing down the nation’s progress.
Also, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) said true opposition political parties must join the Federal Government in building the country. While highlighting the wealth of resources Nigeria boasts, Usman lamented the factors that stall its progress.
The former minister of finance pointed to alarming statistics, noting that “nearly half of the population lives below the poverty line and over 20 million children out of school.”
She also expressed concern over the persistence of corruption and the lack of integrity in the country’s political and electoral systems. Acknowledging some economic growth, however, the LP caretaker boss emphasised that widespread poverty and inequality persist. She argued that governance failures and corruption kept Nigeria down in global indices measuring corruption and adherence to the rule of law.
To steer the country towards a brighter future, she called for bold reforms, including policies to promote macroeconomic stability, stimulate private sector growth and expand social safety nets for the most vulnerable.
ABURE urged politicians to shun actions inimical to the nation’s socio-economic development while taking people-oriented decisions and actions. Abure, whose tenure as LP national chairman reportedly elapsed in June this year, said the party remained committed to strengthening the nation’s democracy through free and fair elections.
The time, according to him, has come for Nigerians to join hands and fight against electoral fraud, poverty, insurgency and corruption.
“Banditry and insurgency have devastated the North East, displacing millions and claiming thousands of lives. Bad roads and poor hospitals and other infrastructure hinder economic development and access to basic services,” Abure said. He urged governments at all levels to make education affordable to every citizen.
“The cost of education and transportation has skyrocketed, making it difficult for ordinary Nigerians to access these essential services. Since Nigeria gained Independence from British rule on October 1, 1960, the nation has made significant progress, but challenges threaten its development,” he said.
NNPP said opposition parties should contribute their quota through viable submissions and suggestions to get Nigeria to greater heights.
Speaking at the NNPP Independence Day meeting, yesterday, in Lagos, the founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, said unguarded criticisms alone would not lift Nigeria from its challenges.
Aniebonam asserted that every political party in Nigeria is duty-bound to come up with suggestions to help the country surmount its challenges. He said, “Indeed the Federal Government cannot be given excellent performance marks yet, but there are areas too they have done well.
“Democracy allows criticism, but not to pitch the people against the government. Every Nigerian, including political parties, must prioritise the interest of the nation above self for us to grow.”
Divisive comments to drag the President into disrepute or push the youths into violent protests, according to him, will not help the situation. He said there was so much rot in the system before the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration came into power.
“I listened to the President’s (Independence Day) speech, and I think there is hope for Nigeria.
“Every political party aims to take over power. When it is time for politicking, the NNPP will try to convince Nigerians to vote for us. For now, our major interest remains to grow the party, especially coming after our major dispute with some renegades among us that we expelled, so that we can move forward,” he added.
