PDP and Labour Party Presidential candidates — Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi — APC Vice- Presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, on Monday in Lagos outlined their agendas for 2023 polls at the 62nd annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
For the People’s Democratic Party’s Atiku, he intends to a government of national unity. According to him, this is imperative for tackling the myriads of problem confronting the nation.
The topic of the panel discussion is, “Bold Transitions on the 21st Century Nigeria”.
The former Vice-President decried what he called the present poor state of the country and the negative indices associated with Nigeria ranging from disunity, insecurity, high unemployment to abject poverty.
“What is paramount now is how to tackle these anomalies,” Atiku said as he called for an experienced hand to take over and rescue the nation from total collapse.
According to him, he has the required vast experience in governance, having been in the democratic struggle in the country for a long time since the days of the military.
He said national unity can again be achieved by giving every part of the country a high sense of belonging and forming a government of national unity.
“Nigeria needs a bold man with experience that would make the country’s economy, arts, and culture, sports, security, education others work effectively.
“Since the return of democracy in 1998/99, Nigeria has never found itself in such a very critical point in our history.
“Today, we have had all the negative indices. Today, we are all disunited in the nation. We have never experienced this level of poverty. We have never experienced this state of insecurity. We have never experienced this level of unemployment.
“This is where history and experience beckon on us to make sure that we don’t get it wrong at this point in time otherwise if we get it wrong. I don’t know when we will ever get it right,” Atiku said.
On his part, the running mate of APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s who was conspicuously absent, Sen. Kashim Shettima, advised Nigerians to vote for the candidate that has the capacity to turn Nigeria around for good.
“Nigerians have the capability to see through the worn-out rhetoric and sophistry of pretentious politicians. Nigerians should follow the man wey know the road.
“From day one, we will hit the ground running. We will promptly address the issues of the economy, ecology, and security.
“And we have the antecedents. I built some of the best schools in Nigeria. Go to Borno and see wonders; you will never believe that it is a state in a state of war.
“So, we are going to replicate our achievements in Lagos, in Borno and some of the frontline states so that our nation will be a better place. The fundamental issue is pure leadership,” Shettima said.
Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Obi, said investment in tangible assets such as education and power are critical for economic revival.
Outlining the important areas Nigeria must tackle, he said: “What we need to do is the most important assets; security, law and order, provide conducive environment to attract investors, education and power. the economy is driven by these assets.
“The elections we are going to have next year will not be about tribe nor religion, not connections, not entitlements, it must be elections about character, competence, capacity and solutions to deliver.”
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