PRESIDENT BUHARI LAUNCHES RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

PRESIDENT BUHARI LAUNCHES RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

President Buhari, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s presidential candidate, opened the campaign floor on Sunday, November 18, with the launch of a “campaign manual/next level document”.

With the theme, ‘Next Level’, Buhari unveiled his achievements, as well as his plans for Nigeria if he secures a second term as president of the country.

President Buhari said that the last three and a half years of his administration has been dedicated to erecting foundations upon which the development of the country will be built. He said even though “the foundational work is not often visible, neither is it glamorous – but it is vital to achieving the kind of country we desire”.

The president further stated that his administration has delivered its promise on addressing insecurities in the country. He said his administration has liberated 17 local government areas from the grip of Boko Haram insurgency and brokered and sustained peace in the Niger Delta.

On the economy, Buhari said despite the dwindling oil revenues, his administration has put in place policies that ensure economic development. He cited examples in the agricultural sector, investment in capital projects (e.g. transport (rail), bailout funds given to state governments to pay workers’ salaries, etc.

On corruption, the president added that through the Treasury Single Account (TSA), his administration “has made it more difficult for ministries, departments and agencies to exercise the unrestrained liberties that helped foster a climate conducive to corruption.”

On Social Investment Programme, President Buhari said his administration has also ensured that there is a fairer and more equitable society by implementing “Africa’s biggest social investment programme”.

He said his administration through the social programme is providing direct support to over 13 million Nigerians, who need it by giving relief and assistance to unemployed youths, children, the weak and vulnerable as, well as small and medium businesses.

The president admitted that, despite its administration’s achievements, there are still much to do. He, therefore, listed what his administration will focus on if re-elected for the second term. These, among other things, include job creation (Over 15 million jobs)/ Poverty eradication.

He listed job creation across various sectors as his number one focus if re-elected in 2019. He promised to enlarge the N-Power programme, invest in technology and creative sector jobs, agriculture and revolutionise access to credit for entrepreneurs and artisans.

He added that Nigerians, who are still below the poverty line will be rescued through the administration’s expanded National Social Investment Programme.

President Buhari also promised to continue the plan to move Nigeria away from being an oil-dependent country. He said he will create 6 Industrial Parks in each of the nation’s geopolitical zones and 109 Special Production and Processing Centres (SPPCs) across each senatorial district.

The president also promised to develop Special Economic Zones to facilitate the administration’s Made in Nigeria for Export (MINE) plan.

President Buhari also promised a more developed agricultural sector. He said through mechanisation policy for agriculture, he will make tractors and processors easily accessible and available for farmers across Nigeria. He also promised a wide scale training policy, prioritising technology for the youths.

The president also promised to implement a policy his administration has drafted to bring an end to the perennial conflict between farmers and herders. He said his administration is “implementing a blend of measures that ensure that justice, order, modernisation and new economic paradigms emerge.”

He also promised an overhaul of the education sector. With the policy recently launched, ‘Every Child Counts,’ the president promised to do “whatever it takes to prepare our teachers, curriculum and classrooms to attain the right educational goals that grow our country.”

Specifically, he promised to remodel 10,000 schools every year and retrain teachers.

On Anti-corruption fight, President Buhari noted that for Nigeria to succeed, moral integrity and conscience must continue to form the dominant character of the country and its leadership. Thus, he promised to continue the anti-corruption fight if re-elected in 2019.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, said President Buhari had failed to deliver his contract of job creation to Nigerians. The former Ogun State governor said this during his appearance on Sunday, November 18, in a popular political programme on Channels Television.

He said the president during the 2015 campaigns, had promised to provide about three million jobs but failed to do so.

According to him, President Buhari at the time, said if he failed to fulfil the promise, then Nigerians were at liberty to choose another leader.