…Says states will earn more

By Dirisu Yakubu

ABUJA- Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has promised to create a minimum of 2.5 million jobs in the first two years if elected into office next year.

Former vice-President Atiku Abubakar speaks during the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on October 6, 2018.
Nigeria’s main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has picked Abubakar to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari who is seeking a second term in presidential polls scheduled for February 2019. / AFP PHOTO /

The Former Vice President in his policy document unveiled yesterday in a live Facebook chat with Nigerians on Monday also reiterated his commitment to restructuring of the Nigerian state, attract investments and provide world-class education to teeming Nigerian youths across the land.

Berating the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration for allegedly failing to deliver on promises made to the electorate a few years ago; the PDP flag bearer said upon election, he would change the governance paradigm and bring about a change in the political leadership of the nation.

“This is a plan that will help create jobs because in my many travels across our great nation, the one thing I constantly hear, is that our people need jobs.

“Without jobs, our people cannot afford to feed their families and our children live in poverty. Without jobs, there is crime, drug use and insecurity. Without jobs, where is the hope for a better life and a better future?

“Today we will begin the process of sharing our policies that form my plan to create jobs, restructure the polity, and get Nigeria working again.

“If elected President, I 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 our Gross Domestic Product, GDP, to 900 billion dollars by 2025.

“These investments will create a minimum of 2. 5 million jobs annually and lift at least 50 million people from poverty in the first 2 years,” he said.

According to him, his government “will 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.”

The former Vice President also gave an inkling on states of the federation should expect in a restructured nation.

He said: “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.”

He urged Nigerians to think twice while heading towards their polling boots to cast the ballot, saying, “the most important question in this election is: “Are you better off than you were four years ago? Are you richer or poorer?” That is why our primary focus is to get Nigeria working again.

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