By Chukwudi Nweje, Paul Osuyi, Asaba and Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, unveiled five key areas his administration would focus on if elected president next year.
The former two-term vice president reiterated his commitment to restructuring to facilitate national unity and development.
He also expressed optimism that crisis in the party would soon be resolved, saying: “I believe we are going to reconcile. It is a family issue, we are talking to ourselves and we will resolve our family issues.”
Atiku, who spoke at a forum organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), in Lagos, said before he set out for the presidential race, he sat down to analyse challenges facing the country. He said his broad policy options covered the unity of the country, security, restructuring, economy and education.
On restructuring, he said he started advocating restructuring since he was in office. “I am still going ahead on this because it is something that I believe will bring more unity to this country and give every part of this country the opportunity to develop at its pace and with its own resources.”
He added that he had assembled a team of constitutional lawyers on issues bordering on restructuring.
“When we have the proposal on legislation, we will put this before the National Assembly,” he said.
He, however, reiterated that amending the constitution required the inputs of the Executive, National Assembly and the Houses of Assembly.
Atiku explained further that restructuring would bring about a measure of resource control.
“Of course, when we say devolution of powers, obviously, devolution of powers must go hand in hand with a certain measure of resources control. It is the same with revenue sharing.”
He said he would address the issue of state police in its restructuring agenda.
On plans and how to unify the country, the candidate said he intended to form a government of national unity that would bring in members of opposition parties.He promised to ensure that all geopolitical zones get fair representation in government.
“We need to restore the unity of our country and give each and every part of this country a sense of belonging in our federation.”
He aid there was a need to secure the country first in the face of security challenges and pledged to double the strength of the police and armed forces and provide more equipment and training,
“By the time we finish this, we would have taken more than one million people out of unemployment.”
On blueprint for economic recovery, he said he intended to continue with the economic policies embarked upon between 1999 and 2007. He said the policies allowed liberalisation of the economy to empower the private sector to drive development and job creation.
The former vice president said the issue of education of every Nigerian child remained dear to his heart. He said this was because of his belief that it was only through education that the country could get to its dream land.
“Education is so important in all our human endeavours. All these things we are talking about cannot be achieved without education. All of us can see the imperative of education in our lifetime.”
On 35 per cent affirmative action for women in decision making process, Atiku said the PDP government would continue to bring in more women into governance.
Speaking on his vast experience and capacity, he noted that he had been in Lagos since 1969 and married in the state, and that most roads, bridges and flyovers were built in his presence.
“I spent a better part of my career in the South. So, I know the South as much as I know the North. I consider myself morally a true Nigerian and a very true Nigerian in the real sense of the word.”
He commended the members of the guild for their fight to restore democracy in the country.
“Many of you have sacrificed lives for us to come this far. Let me pay tribute to the contributions of the guild as far as our democratic restoration is concerned,” he said.
President of the NGE, Mr Mustapha Isah, said the forum was interested in knowing the candidate’s plans for the country.
He said the forum would host other candidates and urged all of them to address key issues that concern the people and avoid attacks on individuals and false claims as campaigns continue.
“On our part, we pledge to be neutral. Nigeria must get it right next year,” he said.
On Atiku’s entourage were PDP gladiators such as former Senate president, Bukola Saraki, Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom.
Others included Alhaji Mohammed Hayatudeen, Sen. Liyel Imoke, Alhaji Muktar Shagari, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Sen. Dino Melaye, Chief Timi Alaibe, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, the Lagos State governorship candidate.
•Atiku on verge of resolving issues with G5 –PCC
Spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, confirmed that Atiku was on the verge of resolving lingering issues with aggrieved leaders of the G5 including Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
He allayed fears on the lingering disagreement threatening the party’s campaigns, boasting that the PDP would win because Nigerians cannot afford a return of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
“Atiku understands the need to realign the party’s structure and offices but the timing is the issue. The presidential candidate is on the verge of resolving the lingering and critical issues with the G5 governors.
“The differences are being sorted out and you can see everyone is on the same page. We have made a lot of progress because the G5 are more determined for the party to win the next presidential election apart from the fact that most of them are still contesting in the party.” He said the former vice president’s economic policy document would bridge the yawning gap between the rich and the poor in the country.
Meanwhile, National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, has boasted that the party would defeat APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, in Lagos, by winning the governorship poll in the state.
Ayu, who spoke in Abuja, when he received the report of the Special Reconciliation Committee for Osun/Lagos, said in addition to Lagos, the PDP would win the governorship in 24 other states.
“Lagos is again looking very promising. PDP will have a governor in Lagos and several positions, the Senate, House of Assembly and so many other positions and of course crown it with the massive victory of our presidential candidate. We defeated the Lion of Bourdilon in Osun and we want to finish the good job in his residence in Bourdilon. We can see that happening because we saw him shouting God bless PDP.
“The leaders in Lagos, whatever differences they have, are setting aside these differences, they are coming together for the greater glory of the party. We pray and hope that all leaders in all chapters will come together will work as one family so that by early next year the PDP will be celebrating at least 25 governors and also be having a big victory party in the Presidential Villa, this will be possible with people like you.”