•Action Plan prioritises constitutional, revenue formula reviews
•Forex-denominated debt to be limited; anti-terror squad coming
•Critical Infrastructure Plan, power sector reforms also
•Thousands welcome APC candidate as he opens campaign office in Kano
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has revealed his plan to skew the country’s system of government in favour of bigger autonomy for the federating states if elected next year.
That much is contained in his 80-page campaign document tagged ‘Renewed Hope 2023 – Action Plan for a Better Nigeria’, unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Banquet Hall during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in Abuja on Friday.
Concerned by the persistent agitations for true federalism and decentralisation of power, the APC standard bearer noted that state and local governments have been adversely affected by the concentration of power at the centre.
The manifesto observed that since the inception of the country, too much power and resources have been lodged at the federal level, at the expense of state and local governments.
He argued that since state governments are closer to the people and are more responsive to local needs and aspirations, more powers and resources should be conceded to the state and local governments.
In the document, the former Lagos State governor promised that “a Tinubu administration will re-balance the responsibilities and authorities of the different tiers of government.”
This he said his administration will achieve by collaborating with the National Assembly and state governments for a constitution amendment.
“We will collaborate with the National Assembly and state governments to amend our national governance architecture such that states are afforded the autonomy and resources needed to better serve the people.”
To achieve this objective, Tinubu promised that his administration will undertake constitutional and resource allocation reviews.
According to the manifesto, his administration will “review the constitutional legislative lists to ensure that States are given greater control over certain critical matters.”
He cited the areas of focus for the review to include crime prevention, prisons, stamp duties and certain forms of taxation.
In the area of resource allocation, the APC presidential hopeful promised to promote stronger governance at state and local levels, to reduce political congestion and competition for resources at the federal level.
To this end, Tinubu plans to embark on a review of the federal revenue allocation system to recalibrate the division of funds amongst the three tiers of government.
According to him, “more funds should be allocated to the states and local governments so that they can better address local concerns and fulfill their expanded constitutional obligations to the people.
“The performance of federal, state and local governments shall improve while the people will benefit by having more political democracy and economic development more closely at hand.”
Internal Security
In the area of security, the former Lagos State governor promised to establish a highly trained and disciplined anti-terrorist squad to tackle insecurity in the country and reposition the police force to enable it to deliver on its primary duties of community policing and maintaining law and order through crime fighting and prevention.
To actualise the lofty plan, the APC presidential candidate would carry out a comprehensive reform of the nation’s policing, increase recruitment into the police and provide high-tech and non-lethal equipment.
On the welfare of the police, Tinubu pledged to free police personnel from extraneous duties.
He categorically said: “Police personnel will be freed from extraneous duties such as VIP security and guard duties.
“VIP security and provision of security for government buildings will be transferred to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).”
For the military, the presidential candidate said: “Military units will be better equipped with tactical communications gear and new vehicles to give them greater communication and mobility advantage over criminals, bandits and terrorists.”
He is also mulling the implementation of new measures to eliminate attacks on vital national infrastructure under the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Plan, while his administration would be deploying modern technologies, tools and equipment to end crude oil theft, prevent vandalism of national assets and reduce, to the barest minimum, environmental pollution of the Niger Delta.
Petroleum industry and removal of fuel subsidy
On the controversial petrol subsidy, the APC flag bearer plans a gradual phase-out arrangement that will put an end to the policy that has continued to drain the national treasury to the tune of trillions of naira annually.
He also promised to accelerate the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and implement additional favourable policies to attract investment in deepwater assets within six months.
“We shall phase out the fuel subsidy yet maintain the underlying social contract between government and the people. We do this by dedicating the money that would have been used on the subsidy to fund targeted infrastructural, agricultural and social welfare programmes ranging from road construction to boreholes, public transportation subsidies, and education and healthcare funding programmes.
“In this way, the funds are more directly and better utilised to address urgent social and economic needs. Our planned approach will not only mitigate the price effects of deregulation but will also result in the significant expansion of public infrastructure and improvement of public well-being.
“Subsidy removal and deregulation are, however, only part of the solution. To further increase our refining capacity, we shall focus on the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and shall consider, as a model, the joint venture partnership arrangements implemented by other leading oil-producing states and global petrochemical firms.”
Forex stability and foreign debt
Another key area of attention is the exchange rate (forex) crisis hindering the economy. Tinubu promised “to ensure that exchange rate policy harmonises with our goals of optimal growth and job creation driven by industrial, agricultural and infrastructural expansion.”
This he intends to achieve by working with the Central Bank and the financial sector to carefully review and better optimise the exchange rate regime.
“Our economic policies shall be guided by our desire for a stronger, more stable Naira founded upon a vibrant and productive real economy,” he said.
In the effort to protect the country’s exchange rate, guard against inflation and preserve foreign currency reserves, Tinubu promised to limit the country’s sourcing of foreign currency-denominated debt.
“Our administration will engage in extraordinary prudence in contracting debt in foreign currency. Our policy will be such that foreign currency debt obligations will be linked to projects that generate cash flows from which the debt can be repaid.”
Judicial reforms
To ensure a conducive environment and sustainable economic growth, the APC presidential candidate plans to hinge his administration on a well-functioning judicial system which would help regulate the economy prudently and impartially.
To this end, Tinubu promised to take necessary steps to ensure that the judiciary’s financial and administrative independence will be the key plank of the reform in the sector, while the welfare and remuneration of judicial officers will be reviewed and improved upon.
“Working with the National Judicial Council, State Governments and stakeholders within the judiciary and legal profession, a Tinubu administration will establish a committee to review and make recommendations on reforming the structure of our judicial system to better position our courts to function more efficiently and virtuously as the third ci-equal arm of government.”
Power
Concerned by the inability of the power sector of the economy to generate, transmit and distribute power efficiently, thereby hampering the country’s economy, the APC standard bearer plans to work with the National Assembly to review the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and the regulatory and governance structure of the country’s power sector.
He also plans to introduce a Nigeria-first policy by which resources shall be directed as a priority to the country’s power generation, while the private sector and local and state governments will be encouraged to electrify rural areas at a reasonable tariff by relaxing and streamlining the existing laws guiding rural electrification in the country.
Ganduje, Badaru, Matawalle, others welcome Tinubu as APC candidate opens campaign offices in Kano
Ahead of 2023 general election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday commissioned three campaign offices in Kano State.
Tinubu, who arrived in Kano for a range of political activities, was received by the state Governors of Kano, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Jigawa, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar and Zamfara, Alhaji Mohammed Bello Matawalle.
The former Lagos State governor arrived Kano at noon time through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Impressed with the rousing welcome accorded to him, he expressed optimism that APC will capture Kano State and Nigeria in next year’s general election.
He said it is a thing of pride that the ruling party was waxing stronger by the day.
At the Airport, his fans from the three northwestern states rolled out the drums and undertook cultural performances in his honour.
It was gathered that Tinubu was in Kano on a three-day working visit – to commission Campaign Coordinating Offices and the Kano State APC Campaign Council Office.
The huge crowd of supporters at the airport tarmac was unprecedented, forcing the cancellation of parts of the airport ceremony earlier planned.
From the aircraft, Tinubu was driven in a black SUV to a waiting bus where prominent stalwarts were already seated awaiting him.
Another huge crowd of party faithful lined up major streets just to see Tinubu pass.
Moving from the airport to the Club Road where he commissioned the Kano State APC Campaign Council Office took about one and a half hours instead of the normal five minutes because of the crowd.
Tunubu, delighted by the large turnout of party supporters, raised his hand to acknowledge cheers from the people as he disembarked from the bus.
Accompanied by a long motorcade, the presidential candidate also moved to Audu Bako Way where he commissioned the Kano APC Campaign Coordinating Office.
The visit is also meant to commission the Kannywood Office in the state capital, the APC state chapter said.
According to the programme of the visit, Tinubu would pay a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and thereafter hold an audience with the Emirs of Gaya, Rano, Bichi and Karaye.
The APC presidential candidate would also hold interactive sessions with different religious groups, including members of the Tijjaniyya sect, Kadriyya Movement, Ahlus Sunna, leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and APC support groups in the state.
He will, among other functions, interface with women and youth groups.
Tinubu would also to be treated to a dinner by members of the Kano Business Community later in the night.
Tinubu: APC’ll be victorious at 2023 poll
Tinubu, yesterday assured his supporters in Kano that APC will be victorious in next year’s presidential election.
Speaking with his supporters in Kano yesterday, Tinubu said the ruling party will emerge victorious in next year’s general election and retain power.
He said: “This party will receive victory. This country will experience progress and this office will be filled with joy come February 2023.
“As I stand before you, I promise that I will change the reward system once I become president, Insha Allah. You will not regret ever working for our party.
“It is a joy for me to be home in Kano. We are not conducting any political rally; we are only inspecting and talking to business groups.
“I will come back prepared to do a big rally,” he stated while commissioning the APC Presidential/State Campaign office along club road in the state.
Tinubu was accompanied by his running mate Kashim Shettima, Governors of Jigawa and Zamfara states, Badaru Abubakar, and Bello Matawalle, among other APC stalwarts.
Tinubu praised President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the outgoing president has performed.
He told a mammoth crowd of APC supporters: “Don’t have any regret at all. Don’t allow those who don’t know the way to victory and don’t understand the success of a nation to lie to you about Buhari or anybody.
“Don’t let them (opposition). Throw it back at them. Take your broom firmly and sweep Nigeria clean.”
APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, assured that APC will win the presidency, state governors and members of the national and state assembly at the 2023 polls.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said Kano State will have a good political transition as his Deputy, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, and his former Commissioner have been chosen to succeed him in office.