Afrigather At a marketing campaign rally just lately in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Peoples Democratic Occasion presidential candidate within the forthcoming 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is reported to have introduced to the teeming crowd of supporters that, so far as he was involved, as soon as he comes into energy, all anybody must get carried out to obtain contracts throughout his administration is just to win their polling sales space.
He’s quoted as having stated: “The one approach, so far as I’m involved, if I’m President, when you come and say you need a job otherwise you need a contract, I’ll ask you, let me have the results of your polling sales space, and that’s what I’m going to direct to everyone as a result of except we try this, we is not going to win the elections.
“You’re all members of the PDP and supporters of the PDP, you need PDP to return to energy, please, I encourage of you, ensure you win your polling cubicles,” he stated.
This clearly reveals what to anticipate from an Atiku presidency. In truth, this isn’t one thing new.
Atiku Abubakar has at all times been recognized to be a transactional individual. It’s on report that he has promised to unload the nation’s oil refineries. How that is going to play out stays to be seen, however such sell-offs could not likely be primarily based on experience.
Atiku’s coverage path
In a just lately launched policy document titled ‘My Covenant With Nigerians’ an up to date model of his 2019 coverage doc titled ‘The Atiku Plan’, Atiku as soon as once more articulated his coverage path if elected president.
The coverage path is hinged on a 5-point improvement agenda which seeks to revive Nigeria’s unity via fairness, social justice, in addition to cooperation and consensus amongst the nation’s vastly heterogeneous inhabitants.
Secondly, he plans to determine a robust and efficient democratic authorities that ensures the protection and safety of life and property. Thirdly, he plans to construct a robust, resilient, and affluent economic system that creates jobs and wealth and lifts the poor out of poverty.
Fourth, promote a real federal system which is able to present for a robust federal authorities to ensure nationwide unity whereas permitting the federating items to set their very own priorities and enhance and strengthen the schooling system to equip its recipients with the schooling and expertise required to be aggressive within the new international order, which is pushed by innovation, science, and to guide wholesome, productive, and significant lives.
In line with the blueprint, his 5-point agenda is to: To return to unity in variety, guarantee the protection of life and property, construct a dynamic economic system for prosperity, restructure the polity to foster unity and stability, and supply qualitative schooling.
Listed here are 5 issues that may occur if Atiku turns into Nigeria’s subsequent president:
Privatisation of extra nationwide property
As beforehand said, Atiku has lengthy advocated for the relocation of main nationwide property comparable to oil refineries. He just lately restated this throughout an interview with the Voice of America (Huasa). Now the problem isn’t a lot concerning the gross sales however far more about who he’s going to promote such property to. Will they really be deserving of such infrastructure, with satisfactory capability to handle it, or will they be bought solely on the idea of loyalty and friendship?
Atiku noticed to the privatisation of a number of enterprises by the Bureau of Public Enterprises whereas he was vp and it’s clear many didn’t end up properly. Living proof being the privatisation of the Nationwide Electrical Energy Authority (NEPA).
Struggle in opposition to Corruption
In line with Atiku, he plans to struggle corruption via sturdy establishments. This declare nonetheless leaves a lot to be desired. Among the many three frontline candidates, Atiku is a significant character with numerous corruption allegations trailing him.
From his time on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to the involvement of his firm NICOTES which later grew to become often known as Intels Nigeria Restricted which has featured prominently in cash laundering investigations in the USA, to indictments by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee over the administration of the Petroleum Expertise Improvement Funds (PTDF). Atiku has a great deal of corruption entanglements and it stays to be seen simply how properly he fights corruption himself.
Younger individuals shall be introduced into the political system
Atiku has a historical past of bringing younger individuals into the political system. It’s on report that he was instrumental in bringing on board the likes of Oby Ezekwesili, El Rufai, Ngozi Konjo Iweala (now DG, WTO), AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adesina through the Obasanjo administration.
On this, he’s reported to have stated: “I’ve a confirmed report of bringing younger, unknown professionals into service. Most of the professionals and ministers I introduced in had been of their 30s and early 40s. A few of these younger leaders have turn out to be governors of their states. I went to the World Financial institution and met a shiny woman, satisfied her to come back again residence, and she or he grew to become a star in our authorities. To point out you we had efficient management, the identical woman couldn’t replicate her exploits beneath a distinct authorities.”
Restructuring of Nigeria
Atiku Abubakar has promised to restructure the nation ought to he be elected president in February 2023. In line with him, the nation badly wants peace and unity right now, and restructuring is one technique to obtain this.
Creation of jobs
Atiku Abubakar has usually touted himself as a person grounded in financial ideas and with the requisite data on the best way to deliver this about. In line with the Individuals’s Democratic Occasion presidential candidate, he’s simply the correct man to get this carried out along with his expertise as an entrepreneur.
In line with his coverage doc, Atiku plans to create three million jobs yearly, and these are in sectors such because the casual sector, micro, small, and medium enterprises, and data and communications expertise.
NEXT: Dangote Group Debunks Rumours of $19 Billion Refinery Commissioning
