How I Will Boost Economy, Enhance Security, By Tinubu
By Adedayo Said
• APC candidate promises to sustain Buhari’s legacies
All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday promised to run a progressive administration that will enhance security, fight, corruption and transform the economy, if elected in next year’s poll.
He said the implementation of progressive objectives of the ruling party will strengthen national unity, ensure prosperity and give Nigerians a sense of national purpose.
Tinubu, who applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his achievements, also promised to build on the legacies of the administration across the sectors.
The standard bearer spoke on the theme: ‘Enhance Security, Fight Corruption, Transform Economy’ at the Retreat for Ministers and Permanent Secretaries in Abuja.
At the retreat, President Buhari said minister should not abandon their jobs for campaigns ahead 2023 elections.
Tinubu observed that the objectives of APC had characterized the policies, programmes and achievements of President Buihari in the last seven and half years.
He assured that if elected, he would provide the best of progressive governance, with a focus on prosperity for Nigerians.
Tinubu said: “Mr. President and other members of the administration, may I state the following: if elected, I will give due honour to your efforts and your legacy. I will work in the spirit of cordial unity, national purpose that informed the creation of our party and characterized the work of your government.
“Most importantly, that the way and means of a Tinubu government will be devoted to further project and prosper the Nigerian people because our guiding principle will be to provide the best of progressive governance and reform our beloved land.
“Consider these three promises to be a positive outgrowth of your nine point agenda.”
Tinubu said despite the challenges confronting the nation and the world at large, the Buhari administration stood tall, building infrastructure, rescuing the nation from insecurity, passing and signing into law of the Petroleum Industry Act, electoral reforms and putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
He added: “His labour and achievements may go unappreciated for a moment. However, that unfair moment cannot last. In due course, the full extent of his contributions will become known and understood.
“Any objective assessment of your time in office and the national contributions you all have made will be a positive and grateful one.
“This administration inherited a national condition steeped in difficulty unlike any other. Predecessor governments ignored or lacked the will to tackle serious problems ranging from insecurity to corruption.
“As if that was not enough, you confronted a series of events, unprecedented in the compound severity, complexity and novelty they posed. COVID attacked both global health and the global economy. Throughout most of your tenure, oil prices waned and ebbed and, consequently, so did our revenues.
“The Ukrainian crisis and other conflicts, coupled with severe weather events in many nations further disrupted economic production and undermined international supply chains of critical items, especially food.
You did more than persevere and withstand these adverse storms. Despite it all, you made historic progress.
“Upon entering office, you faced a situation where deadly terrorists were planting flags on our national territory, proclaiming an illegal state within our legitimate state.
“Because of your collective work, they no longer plant flags. Their boasts of conquest are no longer heard. You put us on the road to defeat this menace. By the grace of God Himself, we shall persist until terrorists and those like them are utterly removed from the face of our nation.
“The progress you made in increasing farm productivity while improving the conditions of the average farmer was an important policy intervention, helping the nation overcome the global supply chain disruptions that threatened our food security.
“Despite financial headwinds, you embarked on an unparalleled expansion of the national infrastructure.
“Work in the power sector is showing dividends amidst increased investor confidence in that area.
“The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) stands as landmark legislation opening new vistas in the oil and gas sector.
“And faithful implementation of the electoral law you passed will further enshrine our democratic way of life through the guarantee of free and fair elections.”
Tinubu said he would be lucky as President, when elected, to take over from an administration that has performed greatly, promising to build on the lasting and enduring legacies.
He said: “Rest assured that when the history of the Buhari era is correctly written, the verdict will be that you established a resilient, yet deeply anchored foundation while also assembling the building blocks for a durable future of broadly-shared prosperity, peace, diverse growth, security and hope.
“Because of this, I am honoured to have been given the baton to follow President Buhari as the standard bearer of our party and, hopefully, as the next president of our federal republic”.
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