“As I move around this country interacting with regular Nigerians, I listen to their concerns about unfulfilled expectations, frustrations and sometimes disillusionment. Yet I still see the excitement, determination and hope on their faces.
“In spite of the many challenges we face, it is quite remarkable that our people have refused to give up on Nigeria. It is inspiring that amidst difficulties and growing anxiety over the future of our country, our people have refused to succumb to despair and hopelessness. This never-say-die attitude gives me immense hope and it is one of the reasons why I can never give up on Nigeria.”
These were the words of the former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar when he formally declared today, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, his intention to contest the 2015 Presidential election on the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Before a packed-full hall, with outside even over-flowing with supporters, Atiku stressed: “Nigeria is more divided today more than any other time even during the war. Nigeria is now on an auto pilot with no one in charge. We can’t continue down the line of decline.”
Atiku said that regardless of the loud and lavish political propaganda, deceit, official impunity and unjust applications of powers of patronage and sanctions by the PDP administrations, APC presents a stronger will and capable of fulfilling the nation’s thirst for change and that it would bring true unity across regions, religions and generations.
According to him, there has been glaring mismatch between the nation’s potentials and the achievements which he said has become a frustrating puzzle, a topic for national debate and doomsday lament rolled into one.
“But as a progressive and open-minded Nigerian, I consider it a golden opportunity and a bittersweet chance to display our courage, rekindle our innovative instinct, showcase our character and turn the Nigerian dream into reality.
Saying that good leadership is what it takes to make good things happen, Atiku asked whether the regime he and former President Olusegun Obasanjo resolved all of Nigeria’s challenges to which answered no.
He said that no one would say that there was leadership vacuum or a lack of commitment, plan and execution, adding that the story today is a story of continued decline.
“Rather than continuing to pay down our debts, our borrowing has actually been increasing even though the price of oil has consistently been above $100 per barrel since the inception of the current administration. The percentage of our budget that is implemented has diminished significantly since capital projects are poorly cash-backed.
“A number of major manufacturers have divested from Nigeria and relocated to neighbouring countries while those that remain operate at far below their installed capacity due mainly to poor infrastructure. The environment for doing business, and our ranking in world competitiveness index have worsened. “Therefore, job opportunities for our teeming youth have become harder to come by. We recall with sadness the avoidable deaths of job seekers during the poorly organized so-called Immigration Service recruitment exam just last year. Up to this moment no one has been held accountable for those needless deaths.
“On human development, our infant and maternal mortality, and poverty and illiteracy levels continue to be embarrassingly high. “Thus, while countries such as Ghana, Gabon and Botswana are classified by the UNDP as being at the Medium Human Development Level, Nigeria is grouped with those at the Low Human Development Level.”
The APC Presidential aspirant insisted that the prevailing uncertain situation in the country reinforces the urgent need for change, saying: “we cannot continue down this path of national decline.
“Resentment, disillusionment and hopelessness are the emotions on which insecurity and disharmony thrive. Our country is more divided today than at any other time since the civil war. There is a disturbing rise in ethnic nationalism and religious bigotry. This is promoting social tension and mutual distrust amongst the people of Nigeria. All over the country, there are daily breaches of security resulting in loss of lives and properties. “Armed robbery, kidnappings and human trafficking continue to ravage many parts of the country. A bunch of extremist insurgents are hoisting strange flags on large areas of our territory that they claim to have conquered. “Unspeakable horrors are now being committed daily against our people by anti-social elements in the name of religion and other causes.”
The former Vice President insisted that government has a responsibility to do everything possible to halt the on-going dehumanization of Nigerians, adding that it is unfortunate that what Nigeria is now being assailed with what he called ‘a serious governance
deficit.’
“To put it bluntly, our country seems to be on auto pilot with no one in charge. We need a strong, dynamic, decisive, competent and visionary leadership that can halt the current drift of the ship of state, fight corruption, create jobs, rebuild our infrastructure, provide social services and tackle insecurity in a decisive, robust multi-pronged way. This is the change we want and deserve and this is the change the APC is primed to offer. And that is why I am a proud member of this platform for change.”
He said that to fix Nigeria, an APC government will promote a new socio-political order which will compel the leadership to always balance power and authority with service and accountability.
Atiku said that he has been asked severally why he is always seeking to become the President of this country and that his answer is that his passion for governance is that of a man who wants to do more because there is so much more to be done in fixing Nigeria.
“This passion continues to grow as long as this government is not really doing the fixing. “I have what it takes to bring people together and turn things around for the better. Therefore, I want to play a leading role in the trans-generational efforts to save this country and improve the lives of our people.
“With the support of the millions of Nigerians desirous of change and the hard work by all of us, the APC shall form the next government of this great nation.
“I have, therefore, decided that I will, along with other respected leaders of our party, seek nomination as a candidate of the APC to contest the Presidential election of 2015.
“I want to lead a government that will invest in its people because people constitute the wealth of any nation. I want to lead a government that will create ‘A Nigeria for All.
“A Nigeria that is not about North or South, Christian or Muslim, but about a better tomorrow where every citizen will feel secure, act with patriotism, having assurance of the fulfillment of his or her aspirations.
“I want to lead a government that will rebuild the institutions of governance with zero tolerance for corruption and nepotism, where hard work and dedication are adequately rewarded.
“I want to assemble the best brains in the land and provide the political will and commitment so that jointly, and with the cooperation of all of you, build a Nigeria of our dreams.
“Nigeria must rise to retake its leadership place in Africa and earn the respect of other nations. This places on us the responsibility of stewardship. It is the consciousness of this national responsibility that has guided my political adventures; and it is this call to serve that I have come to answer once again.”
[myad]
