How Tinubu will actualise plans on economy, security

•Technocrats explain how APC candidate will deliver on promises

Members of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council of All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday shed light on the ‘Action Plan’ to reposition the economy.

It was the day APC campaign train rolled into Nasarawa State.

Presidential standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, told participants at the Town Hall meeting in Lafia, the state capital, that his campaigns will be issued-based.

In Abuja, experts who hold positions in the campaign committee, spoke on Tinubu’s agenda to reform the economy while building on the foundation laid by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The event was a one-day symposium, titled: ‘Dissecting the Asiwaju Manifesto Renewed Hope 2023’.

It was organised by APC Professional Forum (APC PF) at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.

APC PF Board of Trustees Chairman Mallam Isa Yuguda, former governor of Bauchi State, said the symposium would educate the public and get a feedback on the manifesto from the electorate.

He said the group was dedicated to intellectual discussion and solution-driven strategies within the political party by professionals.

At the event were former Anambra State Deputy Governor Dr. Nkem Okeke, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Presidential Adviser on Ease of Doing Business, Alhaji Mohammed Nda, former Director of Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, Salihu Lukman, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Mallam Mustapha Salihu, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Hadiza Bala Usman, former Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Waziri Bulama, and Garba Shinkafi, former Director of Department of State Services (DSS).

Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, said the candidate will fulfill his promises to Nigeria, if elected, while the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, assured that Nigeria will be in safe hands.

Shetimma, banker and former governor of Borno State, said Tinubu will accord priority to high budgetary performance and restore public confidence in governance.

Represented by the Director General of the National Centre for Women Development, the First Lady also said security will be a cardinal focus of the administration.

Accomplished bankers and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State Otunba Olufemi Pedro disclosed that Tinubu would create one million jobs in his first 24 months in office as president.

He said: “Asiwaju Tinubu will take Nigeria on the digital pathway. He will exploit the growing digital economy through interventions in the ICT sector and deployment of new technologies to fast-track business growth and diversification.

“The plan is to create one million jobs in the first 24 months of the new administration. He also plans to deliver broadband service to 90 per cent of the population by 2025.”

Pedro also unveiled Tinubu’s plans for youth entrepreneurship, greater autonomy and resource allocation to states for better service delivery, and strategies for tackling inflation and phasing out fuel subsidy.

To Gbenga Daniel, engineer and former Ogun State governor, Tinubu will fight the infrastructure battle.

He said as the chairman of the Infrastructure Sub-Committee of Tinubu’s transition working group in 1999 when he became governor of Lagos State, Tinubu had a plan for road construction and effective transportation.

He said Nigeria will overcome many of its challenges under the Tinubu leadership.

Legal luminary Babatunde Ogala (SAN) said the standard bearer will reform the judiciary and promote the rule of law if elected.

He recalled that as governor of Lagos, Tinubu paid attention to judicial infrastructure development, staff welfare, technological innovation, improved access to justice, alternative dispute resolution and introduction of Lagos Multi-Door Court house.

Ogala, whose wife is a judge of Lagos State High Court, added that judges in Lagos enjoyed housing facilities and official cars, adding that the incentives can reduce corruption and temptation to do what is not right.

Former Army Chief and Minister of Interior Gen. Abdulrahaman Dambazau said Tinubu will effectively tackle insecurity.

He spoke on “The Tinubu Panacea for a safe and secured Nigeria.”

Dambazau said Tinubu’s agenda for security include a redefinition of military doctrines and practice, securing critical national infrastructure, ensuring peaceful communities, borders and safe forests, identifying database, police training and fostering international collaboration.

Former Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Security Trust Fund Dr. Fola Arthur-Worrey said Tinubu will adequately fund the police to combat crime.

He said: “The regular budget structure is often unable to meet the needs that you might have in an emergency and then, your budget did not foresee that the Trust Fund was a vehicle by which extra-funding can be brought in and allocated directly to agencies at points of need.”