The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential candidate — Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has stated that the future of Nigeria should not be left in the hands of either a novice or the leaders of the political party that is responsible for the nation’s deplorable state.
He said: “It is critical, therefore, that we get the economy right. I have been a private businessman for a long time and have also been a public servant at the highest level of decision-making and implementation. Thus, I feel comfortable among captains of industry and public sector economists and practitioners.
And I am uniquely positioned to understand the economic challenges facing the country and what we must do to get our economy growing, provide jobs, incomes and wealth for our people and thereby reduce hunger, unemployment and related social problems, including insecurity.
“When we create economic opportunities for our people it will have a significant positive impact on social cohesion and national security. Increased jobs and income opportunities will reduce the likelihood of our youth being involved in crime, violence and conflict motivated by the manipulation of religious or ethnic differences.”
In his remarks, Atiku, who was present at the Nigeria Economic Summit Group’s (NESG) Presidential Dialogue on the Economy at the Summit House in Lagos, argued that the current administration’s subpar economic performance is a major factor in many of Nigeria’s problems.
He said: “It is critical, therefore, that we get the economy right. I have been a private businessman for a long time and have also been a public servant at the highest level of decision-making and implementation. Thus, I feel comfortable among captains of industry and public sector economists and practitioners.
“And I am uniquely positioned to understand the economic challenges facing the country and what we must do to get our economy growing, provide jobs, incomes and wealth for our people and thereby reduce hunger, unemployment and related social problems, including insecurity.
“When we create economic opportunities for our people it will have a significant positive impact on social cohesion and national security. Increased jobs and income opportunities will reduce the likelihood of our youth being involved in crime, violence and conflict motivated by the manipulation of religious or ethnic differences.
“You also have a solemn responsibility to interrogate those who aspire to govern this country. You must assess their understanding of the environment, their policy priorities, and their strategies for dealing with a plethora of local and national issues.
“Experience is important and we must avoid the mistakes of the recent past. It is too risky for Nigerians to hand over their future to a greenhorn or to the National Leader of the very party that brought us to this sorry pass,” the former Vice President said.
