By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA—AFTER weeks of apprehension over his political future, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, formally declared his intention to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in next year’s presidential election. By this declaration, he has become the first in his political party, the All Progressive Congress and indeed, in the country to express his interest in the highest office of the land.

Atiku’s declaration for 2015

This is, however, not the first time, the former Vice President would be throwing in his hat for the plum job. Shortly after he left office as vice to his former principal, President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007, he vied for the office on the platform of Action Congress, AC, against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and lost. In 2011, he staged a come back to PDP and contested the primary election, and lost again to incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, at the Eagles Square, Abuja, venue of the exercise.

Upon the registration of All Progressive Congress, APC, after the fusion of three major opposition parties last year, Atiku who was one of those that boycotted the PDP special convention that recognised the stay of former chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur recently switched camp with APC.

Declaring his intention at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Atiku said he would not give up on Nigeria. “As I move around this country interacting with regular Nigerians, I listen to their concerns about unfulfilled expectations, frustrations and sometimes disillusionment. Yet I still see the excitement, determination and hope on their faces. In spite of the many challenges we face, it is quite remarkable that our people have refused to give up on Nigeria. It is inspiring that amidst difficulties and growing anxiety over the future of our country, our people have refused to succumb to despair and hopelessness. This never-say-die attitude gives me immense hope and it is one of the reasons why I can never give up on Nigeria. I have, therefore, decided that I will, along with other respected leaders of our party, seek nomination as a candidate of the APC to contest the Presidential election of 2015.”

Present Government has rubbished what we did while in office

Highlighting some feats recorded by their regime between 1999 and 2007, Atiku who scored their administration high said that the present government has failed the Nigerian people. He said: “As Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, I worked closely with my boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is also a passionate defender of Nigerian unity. We re-integrated our country into the international community following years of isolation; we professionalized our armed forces; we embarked on fundamental economic reforms articulated by an Economic Team, which I had the honour to chair. We focused on macro-economic stability and transforming critical areas such as banking, insurance, oil and gas, telecommunication, pension and the Civil Service.

“We created novel institutions that should lay the foundation for good governance and accountability such as the Bureau of Procurement (Due Process), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, SERVICOM, whose golden rule is ‘serve others as you would like to be served.’  Sadly, most of these institutions are now mere shadows of themselves.

“We also paid off nearly all of our foreign debt which was crippling the country; we stabilized the exchange rate of the naira as well as interest rates, and reduced inflation. What needed to follow was for these macro-economic gains to be further translated into improved welfare for our people. With the reforms in the telecommunications sector we increased the number of functioning telephone lines from 200,000 at the inception of our administration to over 70 million by the time we left. Our reforms also led to an increase in the market capitalization of the Nigerian Stock Exchange from N400 billion to over N8 trillion by 2007 and to nearly N13 trillion by 2008.

“We also handed over well-articulated master plans for the development of multi-modal transportation system, including a contract for the modernization of the railways. We also commenced the implementation of the Gas to Power Master Plan, with a target of 26,000 megawatts of electricity expected to be delivered by 2015. This is the story of the service of an administration, which I am proud to have been a part of. These achievements were made possible because of the vision, commitment and dedication of leadership.  Good leadership is what it takes to make good things happen.  Did we resolve all of Nigeria’s challenges? Of course not! But no one would say that there was leadership vacuum or a lack of commitment, plan and execution.”

“We know the story today. Rather than continuing to pay down our debts, our borrowing has actually been increasing even though the price of oil has consistently been above $100 per barrel since the inception of the current administration.  The percentage of our budget that is implemented has diminished significantly since capital projects are poorly cash-backed.

“A number of major manufacturers have divested from Nigeria and relocated to neighbouring countries while those that remain operate at far below their installed capacity due mainly to poor infrastructure. The environment for doing business, and our ranking in world competitiveness index have worsened. Therefore, job opportunities for our teeming youth have become harder to come by.

“We recall with sadness the avoidable deaths of job seekers during the poorly organised so-called Immigration Service recruitment exam just last year.  Up to this moment no one has been held accountable for those needless deaths.”

Nigeria more divided today than civil war times

The Adamawa State born politician also submitted that Nigeria was more divided under the present regime than in the civil war times.

“Resentment, disillusionment and hopelessness are the emotions on which insecurity and disharmony thrive. Our country is more divided today than at any other time since the civil war.

“There is a disturbing rise in ethnic nationalism and religious bigotry. This is promoting social tension and mutual distrust amongst the people of Nigeria.

“All over the country, there are daily breaches of security resulting in loss of lives and properties. Armed robbery, kidnappings and human trafficking continue to ravage many parts of the country.

“A bunch of extremist insurgents are hoisting strange flags on large areas of our territory that they claim to have conquered. Unspeakable horrors are now being committed daily against our people by anti-social elements in the name of religion and other causes”, he said.

We need competent and Visionary leadership

Giving an insight into the kind of political leadership the country needed, Atiku said that only a competent, dynamic and strong leader could save Nigeria.

“We need a strong, dynamic, decisive, competent and visionary leadership that can halt the current drift of the ship of state, fight corruption, create jobs, rebuild our infrastructure, provide social services and tackle insecurity in a decisive, robust multi-pronged way.

“This is the change we want and deserve and this is the change the APC is primed to offer. And that is why I am a proud member of this platform for change”, he said.

My mission

Should he be given the mandate, the presidential hopeful said he would create wealth and build “a Nigeria for All”.

His words: “With the support of the millions of Nigerians desirous of change and the hard work by all of us, the APC shall form the next government of this great nation.

“I have, therefore, decided that I will, along with other respected leaders of our party, seek nomination as a candidate of the APC to contest the Presidential election of 2015.

“I want to lead a government that will invest in its people because people constitute the wealth of any nation. I want to lead a government that will create “A Nigeria for All”.  A Nigeria that is not about North or South, Christian or Muslim, but about a better tomorrow where every citizen will feel secure, act with patriotism, having assurance of the fulfilment of his or her aspirations.

“I want to lead a government that will rebuild the institutions of governance with zero tolerance for corruption and nepotism, where hard work and dedication are adequately rewarded.

“I want to assemble the best brains in the land and provide the political will and commitment so that jointly, and with the cooperation of all of you, build a Nigeria of our dreams.

“Nigeria must rise to retake its leadership place in Africa and earn the respect of other nations. This places on us the responsibility of stewardship. It is the consciousness of this national responsibility that has guided my political adventures; and it is this call to serve that I have come to answer once again.

“Nigeria must and will be great.  With your support and prayers, we will change this country for good. We will create a country that will truly be the pride of the black race. We will create a new Nigeria for all Nigerians”.

Though, most APC stalwarts were not present at the event, some leaders of the party in the North central zone which included Senator George Akume, former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye amongst a mammoth crowd of Atiku’s supporters across the country were on hand to cheer him.

With less than 3 months to the beginning and end of parties’ primaries and 5 months to the general elections, it is believed that more declarations for the contest by interested politicians were underway.