Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has reiterated his commitment to transform Nigeria and tackle the current challenges facing the country.
Obi who made this known during a fire chat with his diaspora supporters in Michigan said if elected, his government will tweak the security architecture, by offering each arm or agency lead in areas where they have comparative advantage.
The LP flag-bearer pledged a total reform of the entire security architecture that will include 3 level policing- Federal, state and community.
According to him, A properly manned, equipped and technologically driven security system will entail reforming the security sector and governance, with particular emphasis on re-focusing the military on external threats and border protection and police on internal security threats andlaw enforcement; swift prosecution of criminals, bandits and terrorists; enhanced coordination among security agencies; and upholding the rule of law.
Part of his statement reads: “We will pursue a production-centered growth for food security and export; effective legal and institutional reforms (rule of law, corruption and government effectiveness); the leapfrogging of Nigeria from oil dependency to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).”
“We will expand physical infrastructure through market-driven reforms (by unleashing growth-enabling entrepreneurship and market-creating innovations); we will engender human capital development that empowers competitiveness and gender balance and a pursue a robust Afrocentric foreign policy that restores Nigeria’s strategic relevance at the bilateral, multilateral and global levels.”
“We must think seriously about a leadership that is imbued with competence, capacity, credibility and commitment.”
“We will pursue intangible assets of good governance, rule of law, security of lives and properties, he said
Furthermore, he pledged to aggressively support the private sector to invest in the power chain through a multifaceted approach particularly the transmission infrastructure.
“We will, therefore, vigorously pursue the liberalization of the transmission infrastructure in addition to a robust power mix- embedded power and renewable energy.
“We will support local refining for domestic use and priced strictly in Naira. Starting with all government vehicles, we will transition to gas powered cars.”
He emphasized that, once insecurity is tackeld and farmers return to farms, our food production will go up and inflation will go down through reduced food prices.
Also, he said, “We shall pursue a drastic reduction in cost of governance and corruption; Improve ease of doing business to attract FDI to jumpstart industrialization and when borrowing is unavoidable, it will be strictly for regenerative purposes and production.”
“We will aggressively pursue the global best practices and standards within available resource. In the medium and long term, 14% budgetary funding for education is within the realm of possibility.”
“We will re-direct UBEC and TETFund resources to the strict and robust funding of basic and tertiary institutions, with a view to ending the perennial strikes by University Staff and workers.”
While making reference to his tenor as governor of Anambra State, Obi said his administration achieved close to a 60-40 gender balance in appointive and elective positions.
“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.
Diaspora communities are increasingly part of the foreign relations architecture. They serve as informal ambassadors and help with in advancing development in their home countries.”
“Beyond their vital role of sending foreign remittances back home, the Diaspora are increasingly involved in advancing technology and skill transfer, strengthening democracy, opening up global supply chains, trade and foreign direct investment, education and research as well as healthcare delivery. The Nigeria Diaspora represents a broad segment of Nigeria’s human development capital. With that population, the Diaspora family has the capacity to catapult any nation to greatness
Executive and Legislative basis for engaging and empowering the Diaspora family already exist via the 2021 National Diaspora Policy (NDP) and the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Trust Fund.”
“The Nigeria Diaspora has capacity and therefore, must have a voice. After all, membership has its privileges. By 2027 elections, Nigeria Diaspora must have a voice via absentee ballots.”
“We must improve on the present ranking since expert assessments indicate that Diaspora annual remittances can be raised to about $60b, which will translate to about 14% of our total GDP. Diaspora remittances are our alterative FDI and ODA.”
“We will trigger every known technological and knowledge transfer initiators. Nigeria’s brain drain will be turned into brain gain.”
“With Nigeria’s huge diaspora strength, her Diaspora community can help to mobilize efforts in the direction of private sector investment. We will, therefore, fund our governance, development needs ourselves.”
“It will take only one visionary leadership and disruptive thinker for Nigeria to be put back on the right trajectory. I know that with a robust diaspora support we can take back Nigeria.”
“I wish to pay tribute to Nigerian youths wherever they may be– at home and in the Diaspora. The journey to rescue Nigeria, could not have gained momentum without the proactive role of our youth. I salute them. The race is far from over; the campaigning has only just started.”
“Yet I am confident that given their resilience, they will stay the course. We are committed to retooling governance and bringing about a secure and united Nigeria.”
Obi thanked the Organizers of this Fireside Chat, especially the Michigan Local Organizing Committee and the coordinator, Mr. Mike Okaka. I am glad to be in Dearborn, Michigan, and to be so well received.