31/10/2022
2023: Between Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ and Atiku’s ‘Covenant’
The race to produce Nigeria’s next president has begun. Though 18 political parties will be on the ballot paper, the battle will mainly be between the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Assistant Editor EMMANUEL BADEJO examines their manifestoes
Activities that will culminate in producing the fifth president in the Fourth Republic have since begun. Eighteen political parties have gotten the nod of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest next year’s presidential election. Many of them have unveiled their manifestoes, while others are yet to do so. However, the race is likely to be mainly between the candidates of the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) which is being represented by former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) that has former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer.
Tinubu’s Action Plan is titled “Renewed Hope”, while that of Atiku is “Covenant with Nigerians”. Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) may not be able to sustain the tempo with which he started and therefore, may not be a match for the candidates of the two major parties. Besides, he has not unveiled any manifesto, though, on several occasions, he has spoken about Nigeria’s problem with figures and statistics, which some have however, questioned.
Traditionally, candidates seeking elective offices are required to present manifestoes or policy documents to the voters about their plans and programmes, which they intend to implement if elected. A good manifesto is expected to state problems or challenges and also provide how to tackle them. From the manifesto, the citizens can gauge each candidate’s developmental plans, ideas and strategies or a political party.
Tinubu’s 80-page Action Plan, highlighted key areas, including the provision of job opportunities for young people; giving manufacturing its rightful place; surplus balance of trade (i.e export more than import); strong policies to boost agriculture; modernizing public infrastructure; harnessing emerging economic sectors (entertainment, sports, arts, digital space etc); socio-economic inclusion for the most vulnerable people; electricity generation; affordable healthcare, education, and housing for all; and establishing adaptable national security policy. The APC’s candidate’s manifesto aims at achieving a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of N780.9bn by 2027 from N440.8bn in 2021 at the rate of 10 per cent per annum.
On the other hand, Atiku’s 5-point agenda envisions tackling the current lingering insecurity to guarantee the safety and security of lives and property, build a dynamic economy for prosperity, re-structure the polity to foster unity and stability, as well as provide qualitative education. Atiku has promised to restore Nigeria’s fractured unity, as well as rebuild the nation’s battered economy back to the pre-2015 level, where the country was the strongest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $546.7billion, as against the current GDP of $440billion.
The two candidates’ has promised to restructure but in different formats. Tinubu has promised a comprehensive constitutional review, equitable resource allocation, judicial independence, and local government autonomy, while Atiku wants to achieve more devolution of powers to the states and local governments.
Economy:
In the area of the economy, Atiku said he would within 100 days in office if elected; launch a $10 billion Economic Stimulus Fund. Atiku said the fund would prioritise support to micro, small and medium-scale enterprises that offer the most significant opportunity for inclusive economic growth.
The PDP presidential candidate said he would rather privatise Nigeria’s dilapidated refineries rather than spend $1.55 billion on their revitalisation.
“We will operate a liberal economy that allows small businesses to grow through lower taxes and charges for small businesses and low-income earners. We will encourage the expansion of the private sector to spur economic growth.”
On his part, Tinubu has pledged to diversify the Nigerian economy and create wealth for the development of the nation. He said Nigeria is sitting on a gold mine with abundant natural resources, adding that with strategic investment in research and development and effective management the nation can explore these resources to the fullest.
He said: “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 utilize 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.”
On the nation’s economy, he said the APC Presidential Candidate assured Nigerians that his administration will focus on the massive and unprecedented 4th industrial revolution, helping the youth to be transformed from job seekers to job providers.
Tinubu administration will strive to create one million new jobs in the ICT sector within its first 24 months in office. Our plan includes interventions in the ICT Industry and other critical sectors of the Nigerian economy where the deployment of new technologies can fast-track business growth and diversification.
Tinubu plans to create one million new jobs in the ICT sector within its first 24 months in office. Our plan includes interventions in the ICT Industry and other critical sectors of the Nigerian economy where deployments of new technologies can fast-track business growth and diversification.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration will focus on the massive and unprecedented 4th industrial revolution, helping the youth to be transformed from job seekers to job providers.
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