Insecurity, bad economy: Presidential candidates beg voters with solutions
…I will mobilise all assets to Secure Nigeria — Tinubu
…Promises diversification of the economy, wealth creation
….We will end insecurity, revive industries — Atiku
…With job creation, insecurity will be a thing of the past — Obi
By Moses Adeniyi
Insecurity and worsening economic conditions in the country have formed major case of references of presidential candidates of the leading parties running for the number one seat of the Nigerian political space to facilitate and sell their campaign agenda towards the 2023 election.
On Monday, Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu harped on insecurity and the bad economy, assuring the North that he will deal decisively with all elements threatening Nigeria’s peace, security and unity if elected president in 2023.
This is just as he said he would employ soft approaches that would promote inclusion and boost the economy of local communities
Tinubu who spoke at the interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee for 2023 presidential candidates, guaranteed he “will end kidnapping and banditry not only through increasing our policing footprint and capacity but also through other soft approaches that would promote inclusion and boost the economy of our local communities.”
He assured that under his leadership, “every inch of our national territory will be secured and be defended.”
“I have proven to be a good manager of our diversity. As Governor of Lagos State, we had instances where our peace and stability were threatened by criminal activities of militia groups; I stepped in and fought them to a standstill,” he said.
“First, I acknowledge the primacy of security as the number one function of government. If you give me the mandate, my administration will give it all the necessary attention and consolidate on the recent investments in our security agencies and successes being recorded in this regard.
“As you are aware, security is a function of resources. I am committed to mobilising all assets within our national power to Secure Nigeria.
“We did this in Lagos through many initiatives, especially the Security Trust Fund, through which we address many needs of our security forces which helped to sanitize Lagos State.
“As you may recall, when I assumed office as governor in 1999, the situation I met was basically a case of banditry where urban gangs ruled the streets. I returned law and order, tamed what could have been a huge ethnic war and made Lagos one of the safest states in Nigeria. I will replicate that across the country.
“We will address the welfare and training needs of our security personnel and strengthen our security institutions with modern technology and equipment to better position them to respond to modern challenges that we face in a fast-changing world.
“Under my leadership, the Nigerian military will receive a much-needed injection of trained personnel to strengthen the heroic efforts of the troops that are currently in service.
“We will deal decisively with all elements threatening our peace, security and unity. I guarantee you, we will end kidnapping and banditry not only through increasing our policing footprint and capacity but also through other soft approaches that would promote inclusion and boost the economy of our local communities.
“I assure you, under my leadership, every inch of our national territory will be secured and defended.
“In view of the anxiety around security and safety of our people, there has been an increasing call for states to be allowed to establish their own police forces.
“I am aware of the recent resolution of northern governors and traditional rulers on the issue of state police.
“However, it is pertinent to note that the issue of State Police, just like the larger debate around restructuring, is a constitutional matter that requires consensus-building.
“Restructuring means different things to different people. But it should be noted that my aspiration to lead this country is a testimonial for my strong belief in its unity and indivisibility.
“These, however, are matters that require consultation with critical stakeholders which include the Council of State, the Legislature, the Judiciary, State Governments, Traditional Institutions, and groups like yours.
“I am willing to listen to all opinions to help us arrive at a definite stand that would be in the interest of the country.
“We will mobilise resources to enhance the welfare of personnel and provide the right equipment and training required for them to secure us all.
“We will sustain ongoing efforts of increasing the boots on the ground commensurate to our geography and population.
“These recruitments will be tailored to suit needs for specific cadre and expertise for each organ of the security architecture,” he said.
On economic measures, he said, “Nigeria is sitting on a goldmine with abundant natural resources. With strategic investment in research and development and effective management, we will explore and exploit these resources to the fullest.
“There is no local government in Nigeria that has no resource or endowment that can be harnessed for greater economic development.
“Our major economic challenges are underinvestment and effective management, and these are what I am bringing to the table.
“Our economic plan would utilise the vast natural resources we have, through strategic investment in infrastructure which will lead to the diversification of the economy and wealth creation across the entire country.
“We will pay attention to modern economic drivers such as the digital economy, creative industries, sports and entertainment sectors for the benefit of our young people.
“Under my leadership, the Nigerian government will be business-friendly. We shall support private businesses in our country and attract foreign direct investment to create jobs, re-industrialise our country and accelerate economic development. Nigerian businesses in sectors like banking and cement have successfully ventured out of the country to build thriving subsidiaries.
“We will build a strong domestic economy, expand the capacity of our domestic market to support growth and encourage export capacity in the areas of our competitive advantage.
“I will prioritise the strengthening of our existing power reforms as a catalyst to sustainable industrialisation.
“Agriculture is of special interest to me. It is both an economic and existential issue for every country. Experience in the last seven years has shown the potentials of agriculture in solving the problem of unemployment and boosting our GDP. For example, recent investment in the rice value chain has led to the springing up of rice mills across the country with attendant wealth creation and a reduction in our import bill.
“The North has greater advantage in this regard due to its large and abundant arable land. My vision is for the region to be the hub of agribusiness in sub-Saharan Africa.”
…We will end insecurity, revive industries — Atiku
Meanwhile, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his part has assured the people of Kaduna State that if elected president in 2023, he would end banditry plaguing the state and revive dead industries.
Atiku who spoke at the Ranchers Bees stadium in Kaduna, on Monday, the venue of the PDP Presidential Campaign rally, said, “I will take issues concerning Kaduna serious if the people vote en mass and ensure that I win the 2023 election.
“Let me thank you for your support in 2019. You gave me the highest number of votes in 2019 and I believe you will do so this time around. I have come here on behalf of PDP to tell you If you vote for us, we will end insecurity in Kaduna. We will revive the industries in Kaduna in partnership with the private sector of Kaduna,” he said.
…With job creation, insecurity will be a thing of the past when I get elected — Obi
On his part, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, said that when a country is no longer in control of the economy and security, such country is nothing but a failed State.
He assured the North that he will positively change the narrative of insecurity and worsening economic if elected president in 2023.
Obi who spoke on Monday on the platform of the Arewa House Kaduna at the interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee comprising the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Northern Elders For (NEF), Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), Jamiyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Arewa House (Center for Historical Development and Research) and Arewa Research Development Project (ARDP), said “Insecurity will be a thing of the past when I get elected as President through the creation of employment opportunities for youths who are tools used to perpetrate social vices.
“Once jobs are created and the youths are gainfully engaged and made productive, insecurity would have been reduced to the barest minimum and will no longer be a lucrative business. The security agencies will be adequately equipped to handle all forms of insecurity in the country.
“We want to bring a transformative government. The greatest assets of Nigeria are in the North, the greatest assets of Nigeria are vast uncultivated land in the North but this land has been taken by bandits. We are going to unlock Nigeria.
“We will bring Nigeria back to life. All banks will be shareholders in Bank Of Agriculture where our farmers can directly assess loans.
“I promised to eradicate poverty in Nigeria, When you pull people out of poverty, the rate of crime in the country will reduce. My candidature is for a new Nigeria I want Nigerians to be proud of their country.”
According to the former Anambra State Governor, “Nigeria is not bereft of ideas” but troubled by “institutional weakness and lack of political will to effect genuine change that will better the lives of average Nigerians.”
Promising he will fight corruption to a standstill, he said “Fighting corruption is easy when one is not stealing. Our past is gone, we are going to face the future. Fighting corruption is easy when one is not stealing, our money is being stolen, the subsidy is organised crime.
“I want to give Nigerians hope. I and my running mate will be in charge, they will not find us wanting, we have the physical strength, I will dialogue with every agitator because it will make us a better and united Nigeria.”
