Presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi, on Monday sought northern support for their ambitions to succeed Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
They unveiled their vision and plans for Nigeria at an interactive session with the Arewa Joint Committee, which was held at the Arewa House, ABU, Kaduna.
Present at the forum were leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, the Centre for Historical Development Research, as well as the Arewa Research and Documentation Project.
Tinubu stated, ‘’I am aware of the recent resolution of Northern governors and traditional rulers on the issue of state police. However, it is pertinent that the issue of state police, just like the larger debate around restructuring, is a constitutional matter that requires consensus building.’’
“I must say here that restructuring means different things to different people. That is why those who didn’t understand the meaning of restructuring did not even follow up on the very good job done by (Gov Nasir) El-Rufai on this,’’ he noted, referring to the 24-member APC Committee on True Federalism chaired by the Kaduna State governor.
‘’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.
‘’This recruitment will be tailored to suit the need for specific cadres and expertise for each organ of the security architecture. What I can guarantee you is that throughout this period, I am making you a promise that will be fulfilled,’’ he vowed.
“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 addressed 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.
“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,’’ he further pledged.
Also making his vision known at the same forum, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate said he would rescue Nigeria from its status as a failed state if elected president in 2023.
He argued that when a country was no longer in control of the economy and security, such a country is nothing but a failed state.
The former Anambra State governor added that he would positively change the narrative, noting that Nigeria was not bereft of ideas but lacked institutional and the political will to effect genuine change that would better the lives of Nigerians.
Obi declared that he was committed to unlocking the greatness of the country and lifting her from a consuming country to a producing one while reiterating that insecurity would be a thing of the past under his administration.
He equally assured Nigerians that the security agencies would be adequately equipped to handle all forms of insecurity in the country.
Obi said: “We want to bring a transformative government. The greatest asset of Nigeria is in the north. The greatest asset of Nigeria is vast uncultivated land in the north but this land has been taken over by bandits. We are going to unlock Nigeria.
“We will bring Nigeria back to life. All banks will be shareholders in the Bank of Agriculture where our farmers can directly assess loans.”
“When you pull people out of poverty, the rate of crime in the country will reduce.
“This would be done through the creation of employment opportunities for youths who were being used to perpetrate social vices across the country.
“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.
“I and Datti are for a new Nigeria where Nigerians would be proud of their fatherland.
“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, subsidy is organized crime.
“I want to give Nigerians hope. I and my running mate will be in charge. They will not find us wanting. We have physical strength. I will dialogue with every agitator because it will make us a better and united Nigeria.”