The presidential candidate of the Labor Party, Peter Obi vowed that his administration will move Nigeria forward and will not leave any state behind.
Obi made this known via a thread on his official Twitter handle, on Thursday, after attending a conference at Harvard University USA, where he spoke on the ‘Prospects of Transformative Governance in Nigeria’.
In what appeared to be a manifesto, the former Anambra State governor said that his administration will also work to remove import and forex restrictions and insist on a single forex market, granting autonomy to federating units, and zero tolerance for corruption amongst many other highlights that form his campaign manifesto.
He said the overall goal of his administration will be to streamline governance, make it more responsive, transformative, effective, and less transactional, making it efficient and cost-effective.
The Labor Party presidential candidate maintained that he will pursue intangible assets of good governance, rule of law, and security of lives and properties; ensuring that these assets are in place while stressing asset optimization.
“We will rebuild Nigeria’s military power, promote economic growth, and enhance its technological prowess with a view to improving Nigeria’s diplomatic influence in sub-regional, regional and global affairs.”
“Restoring leadership will require that we reassert proactively, Nigeria’s leadership role in African affairs through constructive engagement, peacekeeping duties, and using existing sub-regional and regional forums as well as bilateral platforms for dialogue on current and emerging challenges. We will continue to enhance our sphere of influence via peacekeeping, and trade and investment initiatives,” he said,
Obi pointed out that in moving Nigeria forward, his administration would ensure that no state or community is left behind.
He said, “the federating units will enjoy discernible autonomy. Resources will also be shared equitably. A higher derivation paid to oil or solid minerals producing states will not be tantamount to other states not receiving federal allocations that should keep them viable.”
All the while, respecting the principles of federal character, affirmative action and gender balance; but no longer at the expense of merit.
“We will tweak the security architecture, which will entail reform of the security sector and governance. We will Restructure, Re-equip and Reorient the Nigerian Police: This will include 3 levels of policing- Federal, state and community.”
“We will build a Compact, Robust and Ready Mobile Police Force with Rapid Response Deployment capabilities; and Legislate the Establishment of State Police based on Community policing. We will raise the population-to-police officer ratio to a higher level.”
He promised to integrate the activities of the National Intelligence and Security Agencies by establishing a Central Reporting Intelligence loop under the authority the Minister of National & Homeland Security.
“Establish a National Command and Control Coordination Center for the efficient management of actionable intelligence, resource allocation and force deployment. Membership should consist of representatives of all security agencies on a need-to-know basis.”
Peter Obi iterated that oil theft in the country is not petty pilfering, rather, an organized crime by a syndicate that involves a certain degree of sophisticated intelligence and logistical arrangement.
“We must give this country back to the Nigerian youths.” He said, while stating how Nigeria is challenged by high youth unemployment, standing at 33.3%; 54% for the youth; and 20 million out-of-school-children.
“We will have zero tolerance for corruption; block leakages and cut the cost of governance. Our total commitment to transparency and accountability in government business is the only credible way to achieve limited to zero corruption.”
Amongst other manifestos, he insisted that as part of his administrative monetary policy, they would seek to re-establish the independence of the CBN; and commit to a credible and transparent plan to normalize the exchange rate and bring inflation to single digits.
He concluded by stating his top priorities for getting into office are Production-centered growth for food security and export, securing and Uniting Nigeria, as well as effective legal and institutional reforms (rule of law, corruption and government effectiveness).
He added that he aims to leapfrog Nigeria from oil to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), expand physical infrastructure through market-driven reforms (unleashing growth-enabling entrepreneurship and market-creating innovations), Human capital development that empowers competitiveness; and robust foreign policy that restores Nigeria’s strategic relevance.”
