The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu has given a hint of what to expect if Nigerians elect him as their president in 2023.
He promised to transform Nigeria just as he changed Lagos State with the collaboration of his team when he was Governor.
Truetells Nigeria reports the hint was given in a statement on Thursday night by the Director, Media & Publicity, Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga in the statement confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday afternoon, inaugurate the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
The event will also feature the unveiling of the action plan for Nigeria tagged tagged “Renewed Hope 2023 – Action Plan for a Better Nigeria” by the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
Speaking about the action plan, Onanuga said it is an 80-page document that contains multi-sectoral policy options.
According to the document, Tinubu will prioritise national security, economy, agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation and education.
It also includes policy options for healthcare, digital economy, women empowerment, judicial reform, federalism/decentralisation of power and foreign policy.
The APC candidate also plans huge investments in sports entertainment and culture, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, to expand jobs and opportunities for millions of Nigerian youths.
Tinubu further promised to continue and expand the massive social investment programs of the Buhari administration.
He promised to bring about a 4th industrial revolution in the country’s economy which will help the youth to be transformed from job seekers to job providers.
Tinubu was said to have disclosed in his foreword to the document that the plans were conceived after travelling the length and breadth of the country and listening to people from different life strata.
The statement by Onanuga conveying Tinubu’s plan reads: “Our nation’s history affirms that our people constitute our most valuable treasure. Whether the hardworking farmer, the industrious market woman, the dynamic young entrepreneur or the hopeful child, Nigerian people rank among the best anywhere”.
“They excel in every aspect of human endeavour when given a fair chance.
“Senator Shettima and I have traversed every part of our beloved nation, listening to the concerns of our fellow citizens”.
“Young and old, poor and rich, educated and uneducated, Christian and Muslim; all have expressed their views and concerns. People do not seek superficial answers to hard questions. Nor do they want the broken, unimaginative, failed promises repackaged and fed to them again.
“They want true and innovative solutions which address the challenging realities of today.
“Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was founded on the premise that the people of our beloved country are entitled to the benefits that only progressive good governance can procure.”
We Will Make Nigeria Work As We Did With Lagos
Tinubu was further quoted in the statement as saying what he and his team achieved in Lagos can be done with Nigeria as well if elected in 2023.
He said; “When I was governor of Lagos, my team and I developed institutions and policies that changed the face of the state. It became a safe place for its residents and an engine of prosperity for all those willing to work in pursuit of their economic dreams”.
“What my team and I achieved in Lagos, together we all can achieve for Nigeria. Our objective is to foster a new society based on shared prosperity, tolerance, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to treat each citizen with equal respect and due regard.”
We Will Tackle Insecurity
Tinubu promised to build on the achievements already recorded by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the area of security.
According to him, the current administration has done well in battling insecurity and he would continue by mobilising the country’s national security, military and law enforcement assets to protect all Nigerians from danger and from the fear of danger.
He said: “The current government has made important inroads. When it came into office, the Buhari government met situation in which terrorists had planted their flags and claimed Nigerian territory as their own. The Buhari government eliminated these incursions against our national sovereignty, bringing peace to many areas. Thousands of formerly displaced people have returned home to rebuild their lives.
“When I entered office as governor of Lagos, the state was crime-ridden. Safety was uncertain. The population was fearful. With bold, no-nonsense crime prevention reform and creative institution building, we won back our state.
“It became a safe and secure place to live and to do business. I shall bring the same determined, problem-solving spirit to solving insecurity at the national level.
“Our administration will be committed to permanently securing the safety, freedom and prosperity of all Nigerians.”
Police vs NSCDC
As part of his action plan, Tinubu said the police will be reformed to fully take responsibility for internal security.
“Police reform will be focused on positioning the institution to better deliver on its primary duties of community policing and maintaining law and order through crime fighting and prevention,” he maintained.
He however added that the roles that are not expected to be played by Police operatives will be taken away from them and transferred to the agency responsible for such which is the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“Police personnel will be freed from extraneous duties such as VIP security and guard duties. VIP Security and provision of security for government buildings, installations and other critical assets will be transferred to The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“The NSCDC shall be evaluated and reformed to be better integrated with our internal security apparatus,” he promised.