Thursday, March 28, 2024

I already have drafted executive bills for constitutional amendments: Atiku

Atiku kicked off his speech by informing the editors that he sees himself as a true Nigerian in every sense.

• November 16, 2022
Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday, November 16 vowed to hit the ground running immediately after inauguration. 

Atiku made the promise when he engaged members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Lagos state.

Giving accolades to the Nigerian media, the former Vice President said: “I want to pay tribute to the press for their role in the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. Many of you have sacrificed your life and career.”

He also used the opportunity of the interactive session to reel out his plans for Nigerians as contained in his manifesto titled “My Covenant with Nigerians” as well as the Recover Agenda of the PDP. 

Atiku kicked off his speech by informing the editors that he sees himself as a true Nigerian in every sense mainly because he has spent the greater part of his career in the south and as such, he knows the south as much as he knows the north. 

When asked about his economic blueprint for Nigeria, Atiku said he intends to continue with the economic policy of the PDP government in 1999-2007 which includes to liberalize the economy, empower the private sector and continue with the privatization agenda of the Obasanjo-led administration.

His words:

“If you look at the thriving economy in the world, they allow the private sector run the economy. If you see the amount of work government has to do in-terms of constructing and decongesting our ports, railway, and you have to borrow, I will rather concession most of these projects to the private sector and give them tax incentives. This will bring progress, prosperity and peace”. 

Speaking on the unity of the country, the ex- VP said: “In 1999, we had two presidential candidates from the south and the PDP won resoundingly well but we had a government of national unity. 

“We had APP, AD ministers and the country became one and this provided peace and stability that we want. This is what I intend to do. PDP will set up a government of national unity. It is one of the ways to unite this country. Every section or geo-political zone will be carried along in appointments in every sector.”

Reminding the editors that the PDP government had more women in government that the current APC, Atiku said he would continue in that line by ensuring more women and youths participation in government should he win the 2023 presidential elections. 

When asked about his model of restructuring if it means resource control, the former vice president said: “I have set up a team of credible constitution lawyers to give me a legislation I will present to the National Assembly on day one but I cant share the document with you. Devolution of power goes hand in hand with a measure of resource control but it depends on the type of power we want to devolve.”

On his part, the DG PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Tambuwal, thanked the media for their role in deepening democracy in Nigeria and urged the media to be apolitical while reporting all sides of the divide as we head towards the general election.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

PRAYING MAT IN MOSQUE

Abuja

Man jailed for stealing Abuja mosque praying mat

The prosecutor, Chinedu Ogada, told the court that Ali Zuma arrested Mr Idris on March 17 and took him to the police at Zuba, also in the FCT.

United Kingdom Prime minister, Rishi Sunak

World

Figures show 2023 UK recession slightly weaker than first thought

The recession in the United Kingdom that entered in the latter half of 2023 was slightly less severe than first thought.

SP Benjamin Hundeyin

Lagos

Husband arrested for beating wife to death in Lagos: Police

The police command in Lagos says it arrested a man (name withheld) for allegedly beating his 40-year-old wife to death.

Binance and Tinubu composite

Anti-Corruption

Tinubu’s government to arraign Binance, others for tax evasion April 4

The EFCC said the information afforded to its team of investigators by Binance showed that the total trading volume from Nigeria in 2023 alone stood at $21.6 billion.

States

DHQ says troops killed 212 terrorists, captured 252 in one week in Anambra, Ebonyi, others

DHQ says troops killed 121 terrorists, apprehended 253 and rescued 244 kidnapped hostages in different operations nationwide in one week.

Politics

Enugu Assembly: Six Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP

Six Labour Party members of the Enugu House of Assembly have officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.