POLITICS

Igbo played positive roles in my life trajectory, says Atiku

Abubakar Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party has hailed the Igbo for playing “very positive roles” in his life trajectory.

He said this during a parley with the members of PDP from the Igbo-speaking southeast region of Nigeria.

The candidate also said he would ensure that the region produces the next president after him in 2023.

“I make it quite clear and confidently too — I will be your stepping stone to becoming president,” he said.

“I did that in 2019. Again, I brought another Obi as my running mate. So, how could you say I will not give the Igbo a fair chance to lead this country?”

He says he appreciates the south-easterners for their “very positive roles in the development of my life and country”.

“You are a key contributor to the economy in this country and a government that wants to revive our economy must carry the south-east along,” he added.

“We must be prepared to hit the ground running from day one if Nigerians give us their mandate,” he said.

“Our country is in very bad shape and rescuing it requires proper preparations and attention to detail, not just in terms of general issues affecting the whole country, but also issues specific to each zone and state.

“Our country is more divided today than it has ever been and it is our responsibility to unify through equity, justice and fairness. That way, we can all pull in one direction to develop our country and improve our people’s lives.

“This will require giving every segment of this country a sense of belonging, not just by meeting constitutional requirements on federal character, but through government policies, programmes, and projects, and in our body language and utterances.

“We will recruit, train adequately and reward police and other security personnel,” he said.

“We shall devolve policing powers to states that so desire and establish state police to help secure their states.

We will restructure our federal system and devolve more power to the state with corresponding resources.

“I have already set up a constitutional review comprising constitutional lawyers to help me draft an amendment to our constitution so that from day one, I will meet with the governors, and leaders of legislatures so that we can have an understanding and pass that law or amendment to our constitution.

“That way, states will be able to set their own development priorities, while the federal government focuses on setting and maintaining standards. Our country needs restructuring to survive and thrive.”

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