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Tag: Atiku Abubakar

  • Atiku reveals plans to boost tourism sector

    Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed his plans to boost the tourism and culture sectors in Nigeria.

    In his recently released policy document, the former Vice President proposed to enlist the help of private sector in transforming the sectors into major earners for the country.

    The document noted the challenges of the culture and tourism sectors in Nigeria which include inadequate promotion of local culture, and poor support for arts and cultural centers across the country.

    It also decried the demonstration of Nigeria’s artifacts and under-funding of the tourism sector  despite the rich exotic landscapes and historical monuments the country is blessed with.

    He promised to “invest, along with an incentive private sector, to transform the culture and tourism sector into one of the big earners of foreign exchange as part of our strategy to diversify the economy.”

    Atiku also stated that his administration would revive parks and cultural festivals, especially the bi-annual National Festival of Arts and Culture.

    He would “promote local traditional festivals, so as to revive the culture and traditions of our people Revive National Parks driven by the private sector.

    “Each of the over 350 ethnic groups in Nigeria has a traditional festival to display or a special form of creativity to offer contemporary society,” the document said.

    Read Also: ‘Atiku should not take us back to era of squandermania’

    According to the policy document, Atiku would also encourage intervention fund and increase budget support for culture and tourism.

    He would “encourage States to develop tourist destinations to attract home based and foreign tourists. Advocate the granting of loans and grants to qualified practitioners.”

    “Encourage talented individuals to harness, and showcase abroad, certain aspects of our literary material and performance traditions.”

    NAN

  • Atiku, Gowon, Abdulsalam attend Jonathan’s book launch

    Former heads of States, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalam Abubakar and former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party,  Atiku Abubakar, are currently attending the book launch of former President, Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

    The book launch is taking place at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja.

    Read Also:Buhari to Jonathan at 61: You are an inspiration to youths

    Also present at the book launch are former President of Ghana, John Mahama, President of AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina and some governors elected under PDP.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is represented at the event by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Also present at the book launch are Federal and state legislatures elected under PDP.

    The book: “My transition Hours” gives an account of what happened in the build up to 2014 elections.

    Details shortly…

  • ‘Atiku should not take us back to era of squandermania’

    Zikist-Buharist Movement (ZBM), a group rooting for the return of President Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019, has dismissed the manifesto of the Presidential candidate of opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Atiku had on Monday via facebook and twitter unveiled his four-point agenda manifesto/policy document which promotes restructuring, privatization, job creation, infrastructure development and poverty eradication.

    Reacting in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday, ZBM cautioned Nigerians to be wary of Atiku’s demagoguery.

    In the statement signed by Stanley Ohajuruka and Godwin Onwusi, Zonal Coordinator and Acting Secretary respectively, the group warned Nigerians not to allow Atiku’s demagoguery to drift the country back to the era of squandermania.

    The statement read in part: “Our fear is that his manifesto glitters with restructuring and privatization but the sage says that ‘all that glitters are not gold’. We therefore appeal to Nigerians not to allow demagoguery to drift us back to the loathed era of Squandermania.

    The main ingredients of Restructuring ZBM submit cannot be done with Fiat-Executive-Order. It must be by consensus as approximated by Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To work we recommend persuasion for ownership by majority, not propaganda.

    “For we are at a loss how best to be happier tomorrow, to create jobs and build a modern economy, but investing hugely in critical infrastructure which the Buhari’s Rails, Roads, Agriculture and Power (RRAP) Projects  – 5,000 kilometers of federal roads, 5,000 kilometers of standard gauge rail lines, 5,000 megawatts of electricity and self sufficiency in food production, is executing and wants to take to the Next Level.

    “It is on record that Buhari regime inherited 345 uncompleted federal roads and despite fall in oil revenue, had invested over N2 trillion in critical infrastructure, embarked on social safety net and utilized over N2 trillion to bail out states from salary and pension arrears, abandoned when the former Minister of Finance, Dr Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala bemoaned that, “whoever wins in 2015 will never find it easy to govern, for I told them to save ahead of eventualities, but Jonathan had no political will to do so and that is the reason why we are in crisis, because we squandered our boom,” ZMB stated.

    On the vexed issue of privatization, ZMB raised a poser: “As a One who was in charge when some of these roads and other projects were abandoned, may we ask His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, his scorecard as de facto president and chairman of National Council on Privatization (NCP), when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo then president was globetrotting between 1999 and 2003 and delegated enormous powers to him?

    Read Also: Atiku plans to back 50m SMEs

    “Our simple answer is that Nigerians have no good story to tell of the privatisation exercise of the State Owned Enterprises, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the exercise failed woefully and the proceeds were less than transparently accounted for, as exemplified by NITEL, Aluminum Steel Plant, Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Electricity Distribution Companies and sundry state assets.”

    ZMB made it clear that the outcome of the mismanaged state owned enterprises of the yore does not in actual fact elicit its support in the proposal by Atiku to privatise the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), but rather, it supports the war against corruption, so as to avoid the paradox of selling state owned enterprises on one hand to cronies and using public fund on the other hand to shore up failed cronies enterprises, which led to the over N5 trillion which AMCON was owing the citizenry.

    The group insisted that it cannot trust Alhaji Atiku who flagrantly jettisoned the great Nigeria media, event managers, transporters, food vendors among others, by climbing skyward to launch his demagoguery campaign in the Social Media via Tweeter and Facebook.

    “ZBM had searched for any page where TheAtiku Plan mentioned war against corruption, and couldn’t find any; which means that the plan placed no premium on the menace of corruption and how it underdeveloped our dear country. In sum, it is the considered view of ZBM that yesterday is today’s architecture. Accordingly the 2019 presidential electoral contest is a two horse race, between promoter of squandermania or share the money syndrome and promoter of prudence of slow and steady growth. Beware of the era of squandermania.” ZBM submitted.

  • Atiku’s policy document embodies Nigerians’ aspirations, says PDP 

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the policy document articulated by its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has received resounding public endorsements.

    This, according to the opposition party, is a confirmation that the document embodied the collective mindset, yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians in their quest for a new leadership and a better life.

    The party noted that President Muhammadu Buhari failed to articulate any solutions or operable policy direction in his own campaign document, “Next Level”.

    A statement yesterday by PDP spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, added that the Atiku’s policy document offered solutions and practical direction for delivery in all sectors of national life.

    The statement said, “The negative reactions of Nigerans to the Next Level mantra have shown that the document is dead on arrival as Nigeria cannot afford the reinforcement of failure, especially as the electorate have already seen through the  deception and cheap attempt to beguile them again ahead of the 2019 elections.

    “The Atiku Abubakar policy document is a product of very wide, painstaking and productive consultations with Nigerians from all walks of life, critical stakeholders and development partners in key sectors, in the overall determination to chart a new course for our nation.

    “The policy document foretells a new dawn as it articulates practical solutions and answers to the myriad of economic, social and political challenges facing our nation and sets out all-inclusive templates for national rejuvenation, cohesion, protection of human rights and democratic tenets, wealth creation, transparency and elimination of corruption in governance.

    “In line with PDP’s people-based manifesto, the Atiku Abubakar policy document places utmost priority on the people by focusing chiefly on their yearnings for job creation, infrastructural development, poverty eradication, human capital development, inclusiveness and national unity”.

    The party spokesman stated further that Nigerians are particularly happy with the Atiku Abubakar policy document as it sought to implement pro-poor policies that grant all citizens, irrespective of financial and social status, unhindered opportunity to participate in economic activities to achieve self-reliance and become active contributors to national development.

    “Unlike President Buhari, who is adjudged by Nigerians to be aloof, detached and unconcerned, Atiku Abubakar, has always maintained a strong bond with the people; hence his ability to understand their challenges, collective aspirations and to proffer solutions with underlining political will.

    “The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to continue to take ownership of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential campaign, which embodies their collective  aspiration as a people to make our dear nation work again.

    “Finally, the PDP counsels President Buhari to note that he has come to the end of the road. Nigerians will never follow a leader on a journey to Next Level of failure, lies, poverty, hunger, disease, bloodletting, extra-judicial killings, humongous corruption, nepotism, disdain for citizens and institutions of democracy, decayed infrastructure, national divisiveness and embarrassment in the international arena”, the statement added.

  • My plans for Nigeria, by Atiku

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has promised that if elected, he will be pro-active in attracting investments and supporting the 50 million small and medium-scale enterprises across Nigeria for the purpose of doubling the size of the nation’s GDP to 900 billion dollars by 2025.
    Atiku, in extracts from his campaign document circulated in Abuja on Monday, stated among others targeted investments that would create a minimum of 2. 5 million jobs annually and lift at least 50 million people from poverty in the first 2 years.
    Atiku said, “My team and I will also help create jobs by innovating flagship programmes such as the national open apprenticeship programme through which we shall enhance the capacity of master-craftsmen and women to train one-million new apprentices every year.
    “Our national innovation fund and SME venture capital fund initiatives will provide stable and sustainable long-term support to aspiring entrepreneurs.
    “My plan to restructure Nigeria will lead to a vast increase in the internally generated revenue, both for the federal government and the states via the matching grants that we will provide to state governments that increase their own revenue.
    “Let me be clear, no state will receive less funding than they get today – in fact all will receive more and the harder a state works the more they will get.
    “And I am not just presenting these policies to you, I want you to own them. Take a look at them. You can view them at atiku.org, and you will have an opportunity to provide your feedback”.
    The PDP candidate said he would also give the opportunity for anyone in Nigeria to have their say on national television, adding that, “These are not just Atiku Abubakar’s plans, these will be our plans. Yours and mine”.

    Read Also: Atiku again

    Continuing, Atiku said, “I started out as an orphan selling firewood on the streets of Jada in Adamawa, but God, through the Nigerian state, invested in me and here I am today.
    “If Nigeria worked for me, I owe it as my duty to make sure that Nigeria also works for you, your family and your friends.
    “It is time to get Nigeria working again, and these are the plans and policies I have for achieving that. I appeal to you to join me on this journey towards a better life for all Nigerians”.
    Atiku lamented that millions of Nigerians are not working and are living in poverty and insecurity, stressing that the very fabric of the society is breaking down.
    Stating that Nigerians have never been as divided like ever before, Atiku asked rhetorically, “Are you better off than you were four years ago? Are you richer or poorer”, adding that “That is why our primary focus is to get Nigeria working again”.
    He continued, “I am strongly of the view that I am just one Nigerian and one Nigerian cannot be as wise as all Nigerians. That is why I will offer an inclusive leadership. Atiku Abubakar is 100% for 100% of Nigerians, 100% of the time.
    “Too often, Nigerians have been promised better governance by those seeking their votes. Such individuals have preyed on the legitimate desires of our people for their conditions to be improved, that they make all sorts of promises.
    “But it is one thing to promise and another thing to deliver. I am not one for making grandiose promises. Rather than promises, I believe in policies
    “A promise is an indication to do a future action. A policy is a plan to achieve future goals. I believe in setting goals and coming up with realistic plans and policies to achieving those goals. .
    “To me, leadership is having the discipline to commit to one’s goals until they are a reality. I have succeeded in running my private enterprises which now employ 50,000 Nigerians because I believe in policies and I have the discipline to stay with them until they become reality.
    “It is my desire to run for the office of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, not because I have a bag full of promises, but because I am prepared to lead”.

  • Atiku to kick-start campaign on Monday with ‘People’s Policy Launch’

    The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is to kick-start his campaign for 2019 general election through an address to Nigerians on Facebook on Monday.

    A statement issued by Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, on Saturday in Abuja, said that Abubakar would use the address to launch his policy document.

    “In his address, the PDP presidential candidate will present his vision for Nigeria and his action plan to achieve it as encapsulated in his policy document ”

    The organisation said that the decision of Abubakar to kick-start his presidential campaign with the launch of his policy document is to reiterate his commitment to run an issue-based campaign.

    “The intention is to take our policy directly to Nigerians and to register the belief of Abubakar that it will take the collective efforts of every Nigerian to rebuild the country.

    “That is why we want Nigerians to access the policy directly and ultimately take ownership of it,”the statement said.

    It added that the campaign of the organisation would offer a simple message: “united, the people of Nigeria can begin anew, creating a prosperous and secure future and a better life for every Nigerian.”

    It stated that on the first working day of the campaign, the PDP and its candidate, Abubakar would put forward his plan to get Nigeria working again.

    “We have chosen to do this by having the PDP Presidential candidate speaking directly to the Nigerian people on Facebook.

    “This medium came about as part of the telecommunications revolution that he helped start as Vice President in 1999-2007.

    “We have also chosen to have our candidate speak online as it facilitates the ability for anyone to download a copy of his policy document at no cost, as we intend this to be the policy of every Nigerian.

    “Our policy document focuses on creating jobs, ensuring security, growing business, developing power and water infrastructure, agriculture and education and how we will empower women.

    “Our policies outline the goals and methods for developing and revitalising Nigeria as the foundation of our campaign.

    “This policy document is being launched to encourage a dialogue with the people of Nigeria, inviting everyone to join us in helping to get Nigeria working again.”

    It said that Abubakar looked forward to conducting vital discussions as he travels across the length and breadth of Nigeria, meeting and talking with stakeholders.

    The stakeholders according to the organisation, include famers, small business people, workers, students, mothers, and children.

    “We recognise that this will be a vigorous and hard fought election. We are completely confident that with peaceful, free and fair elections, we will be victorious.”(NAN)

  • 2019: PDP in dilemma over presidential campaign in S/West

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be in a dilemma on how to design the appropriate campaign message to woo voters in the Southwest geopolitical zone for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Starting from tomorrow, the various political parties will commence their presidential campaigns in line with the campaign timeline released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Presently, the PDP cannot boast of any of its key positions occupied by members from the Southwest at the national level within the party hierarchy.

    The highest position held by the Southwest in the party’s hierarchy is that of Deputy National Chairman (Southwest) which is being occupied by Elder Yemi Akinwonmi from Ogun State.

    Investigation conducted by our correspondent at the weekend revealed that it was one of the key issues that dominated discussions in a meeting held by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, with key party stakeholders in Abuja Wednesday night.

    Those that attended the Wednesday meeting included the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; governors elected on the platform of the party, among others.

    Our correspondent gathered that some stakeholders have pointed out that the All Progressives Congress (APC) having Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari may constitute an uphill task for the PDP campaign in the Southwest.

    On the other hand, the PDP has picked Atiku’s running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, from Anambra State in the Southeast geopolitical zone while the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus is from Rivers State in the South-South geopolitical zone.

    This, according to some of strategists, has stripped the Southwest of any representation in key positions within the PDP.

    In their submission, this makes the situation more difficult for the opposition party, considering the fact that the entire six states in the Southwest are being controlled by the APC.

    Moreover, the fact that the Buhari administration also parades a number of South Westerners in key positions in his cabinet and other key federal agencies may also give the ruling party an edge in the zone.

    They cited the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing manned by one of the prominent sons of the Southwest, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

    There is also the case of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) which is being headed by another South Westerner, Mr. Babatunde Fowler from Lagos State.

    Similarly, some analysts have argued that restructuring the country, which the PDP has projected as one of its key campaign points, is an elitist concept that does not strike any chord with the voting masses in the zone.

    “For instance, what is the Yoruba word for restructuring and how do you pass the message across to the market women, artisans and the masses that form the bulk of the voting population?” a PDP chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity asked.

    The source also described the positions of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG) and that of the Speaker of House of Representatives which the PDP promised the Southwest as uncertain, stressing that it is only if the PDP wins the Presidency that that can be fulfilled.

    In a swift reaction, however, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, disagreed with the postulations, saying that prevailing circumstances have changed voting dynamics in the country

    Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone yesterday, Ologbondiyan said: “Nigerians are not talking about who occupies certain positions. They are interested in who can give them power and make ease of doing business available.

    “Nigerians are interested in who can save them from hunger, starvation, killings, bloodletting and all the pain that the Buhari government has imposed on them.

    “The issue is not about who occupies what positions; it is about that candidate that understands the nuances of our nation. That candidate that can turn our economy around and make life better for Nigerians.

    “Having said that, it’s important to state that the PDP is interested in the value of life. The PDP is interested in the equitable distribution of wealth in the nation. The PDP is interested in making life better for the average Nigerian.

    “As such, every group and every geopolitical zone will be well captured and well represented when we form government.

    “This is the type of division that the Buhari administration has continued to set Nigerians against one another with all manner of ethnic crises. But Nigerians have come to resent this approach.

    “It is unfortunate that even the President is so insensitive to the plight of Nigerians that he does not realise that this is not the time Nigerians will be thinking about who comes from where.

    For now, Nigerian are only keen on good governance.”

  • 2019: UPP, Igboezue adopt Buhari

    The electoral support for President Muhammadu Buhari towards the 2019 general elections was boosted on Friday with the endorsement of his candidature by an Igbo group, Igboezuo and the United Progressive Party (UPP).
    The national Chairman of UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie  briefed State House correspondents after meeting behind closed-doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    According to him, the Igbo nation had put their eggs in one basket for too long and would not do it again in the 2019 general elections.
    He said that the Igbos had not benefited anything apart from the benevolence of President Buhari to bring some infrastructure to the South East.
    He said that he decided to support President Buhari for 2019 in order to ensure Igbo presidency in 2023.
    Okorie, who is also the coordinator of ‘Igboezue’ socio-cultural group, said, “It is not good that Igbo nation has put all their eggs in one basket for 16 years. In spite of this, Buhari has not stopped development in the region.
    “This is time to get them to earn Igbo presidency by voting for him in 2019.” he said
    Speaking on the Enugu declaration of some Southeast leaders for the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, the UPP boss said that the adoption of Atiku was not by the Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership.

    Read Also: Buhari, President Vaz meet in Aso Rock

     He said “Only four founding members of Ohaneze Ndigbo are alive today and we have never met to endorse Atiku. We are poised to change the narrative.
    “Just as Zik and Igbo leaders led Igbo people into coalition in the First and Second Republics, that is what Igboezue is determined to do now.” he stated

  • PDP calls on Buhari to fire Amaechi

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to demand the immediate resignation of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister of Transportation to demonstrate the President’s integrity.

    The opposition party accused Amaechi, who is the Minister of Transportation and Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation of using government fund to campaign for Buhari.

    In a statement on Friday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party noted that through his actions,  Amaechi has demonstrated the height of corruption both in Buhari administration and the person of his campaign DG.

    The PDP wondered how Amaechi will compare President Buhari to the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who the party said, has been generally accepted as the next President of Nigeria, stressing that Amaechi has finally lost touch with Nigerians.

    The statement said, “If Amaechi has not lost touch with reality, how would he be comparing Atiku Abubakar, who is widely celebrated by Nigerians across board, due to his integrity and proven competence in managing resources, to President Buhari, who Nigerians know is responsible for the grinding hardship, hunger, starvation and escalating insecurity in the nation in the last three and half years?

    “How can Amaechi compare Atiku Abubakar, a known and tested nationalist, who has become the rallying point for national rejuvenation and reawakening to President Buhari, who has sunk the nation deeper into the sea of nepotism, divisiveness, dissensions and agonizing despondency?

    Read Also: Amaechi to unveil book on Niger Delta

    “How can any one compare Atiku Abubakar, an epitome of wealth creation and youth empowerment to President Buhari whose tenure will only be remembered by Nigerians for hardship, unemployment, job losses, wealth destruction, economic frustrations and destruction of institutions that engender good governance and freedom?

    “Is it not an aberration to attempt to compare Atiku Abubakar, who played key role in a government that paid our nation’s foreign debt, to President Buhari, whose administration specializes in accumulating debts, borrowing money to service debts and plunging our generations yet unborn into bondage?

    “How can Amaechi compare Atiku Abubakar, a promoter of democracy and fundamental human rights to President Buhari whose administration has stood down all known democratic virtues, and relishes in violation of human rights, disobedience to court orders, disdain for constitutional order and condoning extra-judicial killing, harassment and illegal detention of citizens as detailed in reports by international bodies?

    “While it is a settled fact that President Buhari cannot be a match to Atiku Abubakar, we understand Amaechi’s frustration as a beleaguered salesman of a derelict product, but he should have known that for Nigerians, Atiku Abubakar represents light and a brighter future whereas President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) represent a national misfortune.

    “Amaechi is aware of the murmurings and frustration even in the Presidency regarding President Buhari’s failures in governance and that most of his ministers, aides and political associates no longer believe in his re-election since Atiku Abubakar emerged as PDP Presidential candidate.

    “Finally, the PDP counsels Amaechi to prepare to return to Rivers state to face his multiple corruption indictments instead of trying to promote a failed candidate”.

  • Anxiety in PDP over presidential campaign in S/West

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be in a dilemma on how to design the appropriate campaign message to woo voters in the Southwest geopolitical zone for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
    The various political parties will soon commence their presidential campaigns in line with the campaign timeline released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Presently, the PDP cannot boast of any of its key positions occupied by members from the Southwest at the national level within the party hierarchy.

    The highest position held by the Southwest in the party’s hierarchy is that of Deputy National Chairman (Southwest) which is being occupied by Elder Yemi Akinwonmi from Ogun State.

    Investigation by our correspondent at the weekend revealed that it was one of the key issues that dominated discussions in a meeting held by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar with key party stakeholders in Abuja Wednesday night.

    Those that attended the Wednesday meeting included the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Governors elected on the platform of the party, among others.
    Our correspondent gathered that some stakeholders have pointed out that the All Progressives Congress (APC) having Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari, may constitute an uphill task for the PDP campaign in the Southwest.

    On the other hand, the PDP has picked Atiku’s running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, from Anambra State in the Southeast geopolitical zone; while the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus is from Rivers State, in the South-South geopolitical zone.

    This, according to some of strategists, has stripped the Southwest of any representation in key positions within the PDP. In their submission, this makes the situation more difficult for the opposition party, considering the fact that the entire six states in the Southwest are being controlled by the APC.

    Read Also: Ayade berates PDP over primaries

    More so, the fact that the Buhari administration also parades a number of South Westerners in key positions in Buhari’s cabinet and other key federal agencies may also give the ruling party an edge in the zone.

    They have cited the Ministries of Power, Works and Housing being manned by one of the prominent sons of the Southwest, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

    The case of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) which is being headed by another South Westerner, Mr. Babatunde Fowler from Lagos State.

    Similarly, some analysts have argued that restructuring of the country, which the PDP has projected as one of its key campaign points, is an elitist concept that does not strike any chord with the voting masses in the zone.

    “For instance, what is the Yoruba word for restructuring and how do you pass the message across to the market women, artisans and the masses that form the bulk of the voting population”, a PDP chieftain who spoke on the condition of anonymity said at the weekend.

    The source also described the positions of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG) and that of the Speaker of House of Representatives that the PDP promised the Southwest as uncertain, stressing that it’s only if the PDP wins the Presidency that that can be fulfilled.

    In a swift reaction however, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, disagreed with the postulations, saying that prevailing circumstances have changed voting dynamics in the country

    Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone on Friday, Ologbondiyan said, “Nigerians are not talking about who occupies certain positions. They are interested in who can give them power and make ease of doing business available.

    “Nigerians are interested in who can save them from hunger, starvation, killings, bloodletting and all the pain that the Buhari government has imposed on them.

    “The issue is not about who occupies what positions. It is about that candidate that understands the nuances of our nation. That candidate that can turn our economy around and make life better for Nigerians.

    “Having said that, it’s important to state that the PDP is interested in the value of life. The PDP is interested in the equitable distribution of wealth in the nation. The PDP is interested in making life better for the average Nigerian.

    “As such, every group and every geopolitical zone will be well captured and well represented when we form government.

    “This is the type of division that the Buhari administration has continued to set Nigerians against one another with all manner of ethnic crises. But Nigerians have come to resent this approach.

    “It is unfortunate that even the President is so insensitive to the plight of Nigerians that he does not realise that this is not the time Nigerians will be thinking about who comes from where.
    For now, Nigerian are only keen on good governance”.