Nigeria: 2023 Presidency

Three presidential candidates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Mr Peter Obi of Labour Celebration and Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling APC yesterday intensified their bid to win the favored votes from the northern a part of the nation.

Mr Obi and Asiwaju Tinubu laid their agenda for the nation earlier than northern leaders underneath the aegis of the Arewa Joint Committee at Arewa Home, Kaduna, who had invited them to share their visions for the nation and the area whereas former vp Atiku Abubakar spoke throughout a PDP rally, additionally in Kaduna.

On the interplay with northern elders at Arewa Home which was attended by leaders from Northern Nigeria throughout social gathering strains, teachers, civil society and youth organisations, Tinubu mentioned he would be sure that Nigeria stays an indivisible entity, including that he would rework the nation the identical approach he did as Lagos State governor.

He acknowledged that the entire nation is endowed with assets that may be harnessed for higher financial growth.

The APC presidential candidate praised previous leaders of the nation, together with the late Premier of the Northern area, Sir Ahmadu Bello; Nigeria first and solely Prime minister, Tafawa Balewa; Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe for being visionary leaders who gave their all to nation-building.

Earlier than addressing the Northern leaders, Tinubu had earlier visited the tomb of the late Saudauna of Sokoto who he prayed for and praised for his invaluable sacrifice to the North and nation.

Standing on the beliefs of the heroes of Nigeria’s independence and historical past, Tinubu mentioned he would proceed to present his finest as president to make sure the nation stays indivisible, with components reaching greatness collectively as one.

He mentioned, “As I mentioned once I chaired the Sardauna Memorial Lecture final yr, I’ve a solemn feeling of duty and obligation to our nation each time I’m right here. Standing right here evokes reminiscences of an amazing chief and a father of this nation, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto. The contributions of the Sardauna to nation-building stay a reference level for us all. He was a visionary builder of males and establishments.

“The dream of Sardauna, and certainly that of our different nice leaders similar to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and our first and solely prime minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was for one indivisible and affluent nation constructed on shared values of patriotism, fairness, justice and brotherhood.”

In a veiled criticism of his PDP rival, Atiku, who had earlier informed the northern elders that they need to ignore candidates of Igbo and Yoruba extraction, Tinubu mentioned, “The framers of this anthem, God relaxation their souls, will cringe to know that 62 years after, somebody would come to this hallowed platform to marketing campaign on the premise of tribe or the place others come from.”

On his plans for Nigeria as president, Tinubu promised to construct on the successes recorded by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in all sectors of the nation.

“Our financial plan would make the most of the huge pure assets now we have, via strategic funding in infrastructure which can result in the diversification of the financial system and wealth creation throughout the complete nation. We are going to take note of trendy financial drivers such because the digital financial system, inventive industries, sports activities and leisure sectors for the advantage of our younger folks.

“We will assist non-public companies in our nation and appeal to overseas direct funding to create jobs, re-industrialise our nation and speed up financial growth. Nigerian companies in sectors like banking and cement have efficiently ventured in a foreign country to construct thriving subsidiaries,” he mentioned.

Tinubu additionally promised to give attention to utilizing his expertise of constructing human capital, which made Lagos one of many largest economies in Africa, to develop the nation’s financial system to an enviable top.

“I’ll be sure that we benefit from our assets to transform cotton to textile, crops to pharmaceutical merchandise, groundnut to edible oil, cassava to ethanol and starch, and so forth., thereby constructing aggressive benefit for our farmers via worth addition.”

Tinubu mentioned North has a higher benefit in agriculture and underneath his presidency, the area will emerge because the hub of agribusiness in Africa via big funding within the sector in collaboration with the non-public sector.

He mentioned, “Agriculture is of particular curiosity to me. It’s each an financial and existential challenge for each nation.

“Expertise within the final seven years has proven the potential of agriculture in fixing the issue of unemployment and boosting our GDP. For instance, latest funding within the rice worth chain has led to the bobbing up of rice mills throughout the nation with attendant wealth creation and a discount in our import invoice.

“The North has a higher benefit on this regard resulting from its massive and considerable arable land. My imaginative and prescient is for the area to be the hub of agribusiness in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are going to enhance funding in our livestock worth chain, particularly, subsectors just like the dairy business which have the potential of including billions of {dollars} into our financial system will obtain important consideration.”

On his plans for training and serving to scale back the out-of-school kids within the North, the APC presidential flag bearer mentioned: “Tens of millions of our youngsters are at the moment roaming the streets as an alternative of being in school rooms. My administration will make investments closely in infrastructure to permit for correct integration of those kids into our typical colleges.

“Training is the simplest weapon in opposition to poverty. In contrast with different international locations, training in Nigeria suffers from a funding deficit on account of our inhabitants and restricted assets. I’ll present the required management and mobilise funding for the event of the sector. We are going to work with each states and native governments to reform and retool the system. These reforms will give particular consideration to the welfare and coaching of our lecturers and lecturers as a crucial catalyst for the higher system we want.”

I Will Unlock Nigeria’s Greatness – Obi

On his half, the presidential candidate of the Labour Celebration (LP) and former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, informed the northern leaders that Nigeria in the meanwhile qualifies to be known as a failed state and that he would work to revive the nation’s greatness which had been undermined by poor governance over time.

In keeping with the LP presidential hopeful, when a rustic is now not in command of the financial system and safety, such a rustic is nothing however a failed state, stressing that if elected president in 2023 he’ll positively change the narrative.

Obi acknowledged this throughout an interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee made up of the Arewa Consultative Discussion board (ACF) Northern Elders For (NEF), Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Basis (SABMF), Jamiyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Arewa Home (Centre for Historic Improvement and Analysis) and Arewa Analysis Improvement Undertaking (ARDP).

“Nigeria is just not bereft of concepts however institutional weak point and lack of political will to impact real change that can higher the lives of common Nigerians,” he mentioned, including that he’s dedicated to unlocking the greatness of the nation and lifting it from a consuming nation to a producing nation.

Obi reiterated that insecurity will likely be a factor of the previous when he will get elected as president via the creation of employment alternatives for teens who’re instruments used to perpetrate social vices.

On insecurity ravaging the nation similar to banditry and Boko Haram terrorists, amongst others, Obi mentioned as soon as jobs are created and the youths are gainfully engaged and made productive, insecurity would have been decreased to the barest minimal and can now not be a profitable enterprise.

He, nonetheless, asserted that the safety companies will likely be adequately outfitted to deal with all types of insecurity within the nation.

“We need to deliver a transformative authorities. The best belongings of Nigeria are within the north, the best belongings of Nigeria are huge uncultivated land within the north however these lands have been taken over by bandits. We’re going to unlock Nigeria.

“We are going to deliver Nigeria again to life. All banks will likely be shareholders within the Financial institution of Agriculture the place our farmers can instantly assess loans,” he mentioned.

Obi additionally promised to eradicate poverty in Nigeria, saying that when individuals are pulled out of poverty, the speed of crime within the nation will scale back.

Stressing that his candidacy is for a brand new Nigeria, Obi mentioned he needs to make Nigeria a rustic the folks will likely be pleased with.

Obi additional mentioned he’ll struggle corruption to standstill, sustaining that combating corruption is simple when one is just not stealing.

“Our previous is gone; we’re going to face the long run. Combating corruption is simple when one is just not stealing; our cash is being stolen, subsidy is organised crime.

“I need to give Nigerians’ hope. I and my operating mate will likely be in cost, they won’t discover us wanting; now we have the bodily power; I’ll dialogue with each agitator as a result of it is going to make us a greater and united Nigeria.”

He promised to speculate extra in girls, sustaining that girls are very industrious and devoted and dedicated when given duty.

He urged Nigerians to vote for an individual with the character and capability they’ll belief, saying he’s that candidate that may be trusted.

Atiku Pledges To Reposition Manufacturing Sector

Additionally yesterday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, promised to revive moribund manufacturing industries in Kaduna in addition to discovering options to terrorism, which has bedeviled Kaduna for years and Nigeria basically.

Talking on the presidential rally which befell on the Ranchers Bees Township Stadium in Kaduna, Atiku thanked the folks of Kaduna for giving him the very best variety of votes in 2019 and pledged to take points regarding Kaduna significantly if elected within the 2023 election.

Atiku mentioned, “Let me thanks on your assist in 2019. You gave me the very best variety of votes in 2019 and I consider you’ll accomplish that this time round. I’ve come right here on behalf of PDP to inform you In case you vote for us, we are going to finish insecurity in Kaduna. We are going to revive the industries in Kaduna in partnership with the non-public sector of Kaduna.”

In his remarks, the director-general of the Atiku’s marketing campaign council, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state, mentioned efforts to throw a spanner in PDP’s marketing campaign will fail.

“The folks of Kaduna have seen and felt the unfavourable impression of the APC and when Atiku will get into energy by subsequent yr, all of the factories will return by God’s grace.

“His administration will guarantee we invigorate our financial system to have jobs and higher life. I urge the folks of Kaduna to come back out of their hundreds of thousands to vote come February 2023.”

The social gathering’s nationwide chairman, Iyiocha Ayu, in his remarks mentioned regardless of being denied the proposed venue for the rally, the PDP has proven that if rallies have been held on the highway, they’ll at all times achieve success.

Reacting on his Twitter deal with to studies of an assault on PDP members by suspected APC thugs on the rally, Atiku urged President Buhari to name on all events to name their supporters and members to order and to make sure that campaigns in the direction of the final elections are stored free, honest and secure.

NNPP Intervenes In South West Disaster

The New Nigeria Peoples Celebration disaster rocking their social gathering within the South West, calling on the warring factions to eschew bitterness and are available to compromise.

Talking at a press convention, the nationwide chairman of the social gathering, Prof Rufai Alkali, mentioned because the social gathering goes into the marketing campaign mode, it’s correcting sure misconceptions being peddled within the public house.

“NNPP has been drawn to some misunderstanding among the many leaders of our social gathering within the South West Zone, resulting in suspension of some zonal and state executives.

“Nevertheless, the management of the social gathering has resolved as follows: That every one feuding events ought to eschew bitterness and embrace peace for the sake of the higher good of the social gathering; that the suspension of the Government members has been reversed to established order ante bellum.

“That the Nationwide Working Committee has arrange a peace and reconciliation Committee to right away meet with all of the aggrieved events at Lagos to take heed to their grievances and amicably resolve the variations.”

The management of the NNPP referred to as on all its members, notably within the South West, to stay calm as all their grievances will likely be correctly addressed to deliver eternal peace and harmonious relationship amongst members of the NNPP household.

On the campaigns, Alkali mentioned NNPP will quickly launch its timetable for the marketing campaign that can take its presidential candidate, Sen. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to each nook and cranny of the nation.

“Nevertheless, one undeniable fact is that His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is the most effective and essentially the most certified amongst these contesting for the primary place within the nation. His efficiency in all of the positions he had held is second to none.”

“He is able to replicate all of the previous achievements on the Presidency stage if elected into workplace in 2023. His data communicate for him. That is the icon that the NNPP is providing Nigeria.”

He promised that the social gathering will run an issue-based marketing campaign in keeping with the phrases and letters of the Peace Accord signed final month by the assorted candidates.

PDP Condemn Assault On Celebration’s Rally

Following the reported assault on the opposition Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP) presidential marketing campaign rally in Kaduna yesterday, the Kaduna State Peace Fee has warned political events and supporters in opposition to thuggery and disturbance of public peace.

In a press release issued by the manager vice chairman of Kaduna State Peace Fee, Saleh B. Momale, he appreciated the proactive response by safety companies in instantly halting the event, and urged the companies to be additional vigilant in monitoring marketing campaign processes with a purpose to forestall occurrences of clashes.

The fee assured the residents of the state of its dedication to proceed working with stakeholders in guaranteeing peaceable campaigns and elections in all components of Kaduna State.

The assertion mentioned, “The Kaduna Peace Fee notes with dismay acts of aggression reported on the Kaduna Township Stadium in the course of the political rally organized by one of many political events, at this time, Monday, seventeenth October, 2022”

“The fee additionally notes the unfavourable reportage, deliberate distortion of information and inciting discussions on social media referring to the unhappy occasion.

“The possible purpose was to escalate the gentle occasion that was instantly stopped because of the intervention of the safety companies and peace-loving residents of the State.

“The fee strongly cautions political events, candidates, supporters and the teeming youths in Kaduna State in opposition to all acts of provocation, thuggery, arson, destruction of properties and disturbance of public peace,” it mentioned.

Equally, PDP yesterday condemned the violent assault on its Presidential Marketing campaign Rally in Kaduna, Kaduna State capital yesterday by these it referred to as closely armed hoodlums sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The social gathering mentioned the unprovoked assault is just not solely reprehensible but additionally uncovered the desperation of the APC which is overwhelmed by the persevering with reputation of the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for which they’ve now resorted to violence.

The PDP nationwide publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, mentioned the purpose of the APC for this assault was to frustrate the PDP Presidential rally, set off pressure, violence and trigger bloodletting in Kaduna State.

He added that that is opposite to the enterprise within the Peace Accord signed by political events on September 28, 2022 during which the presidential candidate of the APC was conspicuously absent.

He mentioned, “The APC is intimidated by Atiku Abubakar’s reputation and acceptance amongst majority of Nigerians following their confidence in Atiku Abubakar’s sensible expertise, file, capability, broad-mindedness, Pan-Nigerianism and willpower to unite our nation, revamp our devastated financial system and assure safety of lives and property in our nation.

“In any case, our social gathering is undeterred by such cowardly assaults as Nigerians are already linked with our issue-based marketing campaign and Atiku Abubakar’s message of hope which is already resonating all through the nooks and crannies of our nation.”