Naija 2015: Atiku to solve Nigeria's problems

By Gbenga Oke

AS the 2015 general elections get closer, Nigeria's political landscape is getting astir as various political moves are now the order of the day.

Even though the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has adopted the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan as its consensus candidate, the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown its door open for its members eyeing the presidential seat.

Already many aspirants have emerged on the banner of the APC. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar declared his intention to once again vie for the exalted seat on Wednesday, September 24 at the Sheuh Musa Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja while former Military Head of State, General Muhamadu Buhari took the centre stage at the Eagle Square Abuja on Wednesday, October 15. Other major contenders are Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, John Nda-Isaiah and Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who said he will declare his intention on October 20.

Following the Buhari and Kwankwaso's challenge, Atiku Abubakar has taken a step ahead of the other contenders to present a pack of policy document that will be the main thrust of his campaigns and his proposed transformation agenda.

According to Atiku, the document was put together in a bid to modify the way the machinery of Federal Government works by clarifying and streamlining ministries, departments, agencies and the responsibilities of removing overlaps and operational redundancies by systematically devolving and delegating operational responsibilities to states, local governments, and private sector organisations.

The policy document which was put together by Atiku's associate and former Education Minister, Professor Babalola Borishade, is expected to address habits and practices that currently compromise policy implementation and enshrining good governance as the hallmark of his administration by ensuring that solutions can be implemented, monitored and evaluated.

The idea which Atiku is bringing to the table is that the Federal Government would be most effective by concentrating on a few priority areas like employment generation, wealth creation, infrastructure and power, education and skills acquisition, security, citizenship and governance, agriculture and food security, Niger Delta and the North-East re-integration.

The document further stated that these goals are achievable if the policies were tackled holistically and effectively through public private partnership which is best suited to do certain things while the public sector will deliver optimally with significant social benefits.

Some of the issues the document intend to tackle include ethno-religious issues, housing, current affairs, elections, agriculture and justice among others.

According to the document, each policy area provides an insight into a narrow set of challenges, which are framed in hopes, expectations and aspirations. It is assumed that high level unemployment, crushing poverty and unequal access to education must not only be tackled in their own right, but also to help improve security across the country.

The document went further to also target infrastructure investments which will serve as the foundation and incentives for investments in education and training, job creation and increased private sector investments in various sectors of our economy.

On the current state of affairs, the policy believes that while the elites live pampered lives, the vast majority of the population is trapped in poverty and destitution. The middle class has crumbled under the weight of rent-seeking. Few can hope for a decent education, there are not enough jobs, infrastructure and public services are poor, and basic social security has no real meaning.

Interestingly, it is believed that too many Nigerians live in fear of violent crime, communal clashes, and savage acts of terrorism. Most feel betrayed by corrupt and self-serving politicians.

He said that indifferent, ill-equipped, and often brutal security forces and a weak legal and judicial system fuel public distrust of the state and feed into the widely held belief that institutions don't really matter.

On the issue of Ethno-religious tensions threatening national unity and security today in Nigeria, he said Nigerians suffer from terrorist attacks in the north, an insurgency in the Delta, communal violence in the middle belt, cult wars in the south, and kidnappings, armed robberies, and common acts of thuggery throughout the country.

Atiku believes that Nigeria is at cross-road with several challenges but things can take a turn for the better if appropriate measures were put in place to address the basic problem faced by the ordinary Nigerians at their different levels - rural, urban, youth, women, weak, strong, lower class, middle class and upper class.