Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday promised to take Nigeria out of its numerous challenges and develop the country, if elected President in the 2023 general election.
Atiku said the experience he acquired over the years in running successful businesses would come in handy in the handling of the nation’s resources.
The former Vice President spoke at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja during his official declaration to contest next year’s presidential poll on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“I know how to create jobs. I built several successful businesses and companies within Nigeria as a result of which thousands of people are gainfully employed.
“If I can manage my businesses well, I can manage the Nigerian economy well,” he said.
Atiku said the Federal Government under him would make education free, at least up to secondary level.
“Education should be given free to every Nigerian, at least up to the secondary school level.
“I know the value of education. If not because of education, what kind of value would someone like me, a poor child from a small village, would have added to Nigeria?” he queried.
The former Vice President said the government under his watch would ensure sufficient refining capacities for petroleum products within the country.
He said: “If we do that, petrol will be cheaper because it is locally produced. In the meantime, we will protect Nigerians from higher petrol prices through a new comprehensive energy policy.
“To provide an adequate and affordable electricity supply for every Nigerian, we will ensure sufficient investment in the sector. We will leverage renewable energies to power homes and commercial centres.
“And that is why we must provide opportunity for our people. When the citizens of any nation have the opportunity to progress at their own pace, they themselves will help to make insecurity a thing of the past.
“We must remember that terror only thrives where there is local support and crime flourishes where it is profitable.
“If we introduce opportunities for Nigerians to express and progress themselves, we would have depressed insecurity.”
Atiku described next year’s elections as a referendum for Nigerian electorate to decide between greatness or continuous destruction.
The ex-Vice President urged Nigerians to focus on how to solve the major problems confronting the country and not dwell on things that would further divide the nation.
“We should focus on the issues, not our differences. Let us unite and fight our common enemies: the lack of unity, insecurity, poverty, inflation, and unemployment.
“That is what this election is about. I have no doubt in my mind that we as Nigerians can do it.
“We did it in 1993, we can do it in 2023. We must stand firm, get our Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), come out en masse, cast our votes, and protect them against any manipulation,” he said.
Atiku described Nigeria as a sinking ship that must be rescued urgently, saying he joined the race to rescue the ship.
He said: “Under my captainship, this ship will sail to a brighter course, by the grace of God. However, this journey is not mine alone. It is a journey I am taking for all Nigerians.
“It is also a journey to a destination I planned with my late great mentor, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and with my beloved compatriot, the late and great Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. May their souls rest in peace.
“These two gentlemen helped me find my path in politics. As a group, we had a vision to run Nigeria in a businesslike manner, where, as one nation, we would bid farewell to poverty, by understanding our differences, and harnessing them to do together what we would not be able to do separately.”
Dignitaries at the event included Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri; former Vice President Namadi Sambo; former PDP National Chairman Okwesilieze Nwodo; former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha; Adamu Maina Waziri; Mrs. Josephine Anenih, among others.