Rotimi Ajayi & Chris Ochayi
7 June 2006
Abuja — VICE President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, took a swipe at the on-going anti-corruption war of President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as full of double standard and selective prosecution. He promised to review the manner of implementation if elected as President next year.
The vice president at a meeting with his political associates also pledged to declare the issue of power problem, dysfunctional rail system and insecurity in the country as national emergencies if elected.
"We intend to continue the war against corruption without the double standard or selective prosecution. We shall run a small government and devolve power and resources from the centre to the other tiers of government. We pledge to run a true federalism as well as imbibe the ethos of fiscal federalism," he said.
At the retreat addressed by experts from diverse fields who were invited to critique his policy direction, Vice President Atiku said he would also devote his attention to generating 2.5 million jobs annually.
The retreat was the first in Nigeria to be held by a candidate for the presidency to subject his policy direction public review and inputs before elections.
He identified the economy, infrastructure development and maintenance, democracy and good governance, education and social services as well as the Niger Delta as areas he would devote attention if elected, stating that as part of the incumbent administration, he would continue with the current economic reforms with some vital modification that would enhance wealth and jobs creation.
He said his administration would ensure massive infrastructure development as well as engage millions of unemployed youths in public work projects such as housing. "We believe any serious government should take advantage of the unemployment situation in the country to embark on mass public work programmes, in rail and road construction, sanitation and beautification of public places," Atiku said.
The presidential aspirant said the situation in the Niger Delta remained very critical and dangerous, promising a comprehensive plan of action for the Niger Delta in partnership with relevant state and local governments. "We can create a society where no one is too rich and no one is too poor. It requires a transparent, focused, disciplined, committed, accountable and visionary leadership. We shall provide that kind of leadership.
"A good policy should reflect our hopes and aspirations as a people. It should address the genuine needs and concerns of our people. It should attempt to provide answers to complex problems. This is why we believe it is necessary to consult extensively all stakeholders before unveiling our plan of action for Nigeria.
"In the last seven years, our administration has tried with various degrees of success to fundamentally restructure and reform every aspect of our national life. We have taken far-reaching decisions aimed at strengthening our democracy, improving the health of our economy, and enhancing the quality and effectiveness of our social services.
"I know that despite the achievements of this administration, there are still several areas we have not covered. Millions of people have no jobs. Power supply is still a serious national embarrassment. The benefits of our economic reform programme are yet to impact positively on the common people. One of the tasks I will assign you here is to resolve the obvious contradictions between high economic growth and deepening poverty. Why has Nigeria's high economic performance not translated to improved standard of living for a majority of our people?
"One of the mistakes we have made as an administration is the tendency to want to do everything at the same time. We have not set clear priorities and realistic targets. We have dissipated our energies and dispersed huge resources in several areas and the results have not been very impressive.
"No administration can solve all the problems of a country in four or even eight years. It must prioritise. I have, therefore, identified five key areas where an administration under my leadership hopes to concentrate national resources, energies and time."
Harps on sustaining democracy
Also yesterday, Vice President Atiku, said at the Barewa old Boys Association Annual Lecture, held at the Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja, a vital part of the democratic principles was the respect for the doctrine of separation of powers.
He said: "Let me identify some elements of democratic practice which are critical to the institutionalisation of democracy in this country. There must be a maximum standard of human rights which should include freedom of expression and association. The right of individuals to assemble freely or belong to any political party or any other association for the promotion of their interests and must also be guaranteed.
"This minimum standard of human rights must also include the right of every person to contest for any elective office in the country. Consequently, every person must have a freedom to criticise, to advocate their policies and to campaign for an elective office within the confines of the law," he said.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2006 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
