•Says PDP‘ll reduce poverty by 40%, prioritise transparency
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja and Chukwudi Nweje
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has said he utilised his relationship with the National Assembly to frustrate the third term bid of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
He stated this Sunday night, in Abuja, at a meeting with PDP National Assembly candidates from across the country.
Atiku said the country was going through challenging times and solicited the support of the lawmakers to win even as he pledged to partner them in boosting democratic governance and in rebuilding the country.
“Let me say that it is very important as members of the same party, that we should have a robust engagement and understanding in our respective duties. During my tenure as vice president, I developed a very intimate relationship with members of the National Assembly and it is that relationship that enabled us to stop a third term or life presidency attempt by President Obasanjo. I really look forward to engaging you again, as regard to the National Assembly, for your constitutional functions to further deepen democracy, development and progress of our nation. Our nation has found itself in one of the most challenging times in the history of this country,” Atiku said.
The National Political Reform Conference convened by Obasanjo had recommended a third term for the president after the expiration of his initial tenure on May 2007. However, the recommendation, which generated so much dust in the polity, was eventually thrown out by the National Assembly with Atiku and some governors working against the third term bid.
Atiku, while stressing his desire to collaborate with members of the National Assembly if he emerges as president, said the executive and legislature must work together to salvage the country.
The former vice president lamented the spate of insecurity and poor state of the economy, saying the country was now more divided than before owing to the policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
Atiku said the PDP would reduce multi-dimensional poverty by 40 per cent in its first four years and put food on the tables of all Nigerians if he is elected president.
He also vowed to prioritise transparency and accountability across all levels of government and reduce the cost of government through improved citizen oversight and strong emphasis on curbing waste.
Meanwhile, Atiku has promised to give the people of Rivers State due recognition if he wins the February 25 presidential poll.
He made the promise at a meeting with Rivers State stakeholders in Abuja. He said the completion of the rail line from Onne Port to join the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri and the East West Road will given priority attention under his administration.
He regretted that the party’s campaign in the state was cancelled to forestall attacks on participants at the venue.
“Rivers State and Rivers people are bound by destiny to be critical stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Atiku/Okowa presidency in multiple ways. Let me therefore reassure Rivers people that the state will regain its preeminent position in the governance and politics of Nigeria,” he said.
National Assembly candidates in a communique, read by Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda, at the meeting, said the candidates were committed to improving transparency and accountability across the whole government.