My agenda for Nigeria in 2023: New constitution, release of political detainees, workers, pensioners and students’ welfare — Presidential aspirant

By Ajuma Edwina Ameh

Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has declared his intention to run for the country’s most powerful seat, the President, come 2023 elections.

“Nigeria needs a new crop of leaders to turn the fortunes of the country around for the better,’’ he said in Abuja on Tuesday at the open declaration.

Persecondnews.com recalls that several politicians have come out to declare interest to run for the much-coveted seat.

If elected, Sowore promised to run a socialist government, focus on workers’ welfare, free education, job creation, and pension reforms.

Sowore disclosed that one of his plans would be to facilitate a new constitution for the country and release some political detainees of the various movements agitating for self-determination, particularly the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and the leader of the Yoruba Nation Group, Sunday Igboho.

Igboho, who was arrested since July 2021 while boarding a flight to Germany after his Ibadan home was raised by the security agencies led by the DSS, leaving two people dead, is currently being held the Benin Republic authorities without trial.

Kanu too has been held by the DSS in Abuja since he was “repatriated’’ from Kenya mid-2021.

Omoyele Sowore, who was the AAA presidential candidate in 2019, however, expressed the pessimism that Nigeria may not win the war against terrorism without improving the welfare and working conditions of the troops.

“As soon as I am sworn in on June 12, 2023, I will release all political detainees, particularly Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho. People who are asking for self-determination should not go to prison. Those in the Diaspora must also be given the right to vote during the elections.

“For Nigerian workers, a living wage is coming your way. What I am saying to you is that an N100,000 monthly minimum wage is too small for Nigerian workers today. 

“Nigerian students, help is coming your way because we will give you free and qualitative education with bursary, grants, and scholarships. To the unemployed young people of Nigeria, I can only promise you one thing – jobs. I am also going to reform the pension system.

“For those who are pushing the struggle for self-determination, we will accord you the opportunity you are seeking by creating a new Constitution for Nigeria which must necessarily contain the right to self-determination and the right to a referendum if you are tired of Nigeria,” he said.