Acn Sets Agenda For April Polls

There is no doubt that politics is in the air in Nigeria as this is an election year, hence politicians and political parties are fine-tuning their strategies on the best ways to win votes and capture political power. The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, did not follow the bandwagon of just embarking on the usual run-of-the-mill jamboree of mounting the soap-box and making countless electoral promises to the electorate. The ACN started with a one-day colloquium where the Presidential candidate of the party, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu unveiled his plans to systemically and methodically transform Nigeria for the best.

He said amongst others things that he would do the following for the good people of Nigeria if elected in the April polls:

•One million houses in one year
•30 million jobs also in one year
•Fiscal incentives for private developers
•Enhanced power supply through investment in wind, solar, biomass energy
•Qualitative education and youth empowerment
•Improved healthcare delivery
•Agricultural revolution
•War against corruption
•Improved security
•Accord social security priority
It is in line with these programmes that Mallam Ribadu remarked that, it is time for change because it is a season of change. He reiterated that a leadership need to create a united, modern, secure and just society that will meet the demands of the 21st century. Above all, however, such a leadership must answer the call to address thrive three fundamental ills that plague the Nigerian society today: corruption, insecurity and economic failure. He went on to explain that, as these ills are tackled, the economic and social sectors will be revitalised such that the chronic problems of power, infrastructure, social amenities and unemployment get the true attention they deserve.

Mallam Ribadu further opined that, “in the face of its shoddy report card from a decade of abysmal failure at governance, the PDP can at least be self-respecting to excuse itself from the dignified gathering of the true apostle of change. Our platform is social justice compact targeted to the transformation and development of the nation on the ethos of distributive justice. The cardinal principles of the administration we shall run will be defined by a keen sense of humility in government, a torching sense of compassion and a clear sense of integrity in government.”

Ribadu successfully waged a comprehensive war against official sleaze leading to the arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of top government officials including governors, ministers, former leaders of the National Assembly and former Inspector General of Police.

Ribadu’s running mate, Mr. Tajudeen Fola Adeola, FCA; OFR served as the Chairman of Eterna Oil & Gas plc since July 2007.

He is currently the Chairman of FATE Foundation, a non – government organisation dedicated to encouraging the creation of wealth through entrepreneurship, using an innovate mix of training, mentoring, loan support and consulting to support young Nigerians, which to date has serviced over 5,000 young Nigerian entrepreneurs.

On his part, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the colloquium said that “we have a party of fat cats, feeding fat on the nation, ruining the nation, you say, this is a nation of milk and honey. But who is taking the milk and honey? The Poverty Development Party (PDP) the fat cats, have they developed the nation at all? No they haven’t.”

According to him, “this is a government that spends 75 per cent on recurrent expenditure and they share the money; even the 25 per cent allotted to capital expenditure, they share it and borrow to meet up on capital expenditure. When you have a government borrowing, when crude oil prices are soaring, tell them they have no business in government. They should pack and go.”

It is important to note some of the eminent dignitaries at the occasion are Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Chief Chris Ngige, Mr. Paul Akinfelure, Chief Abiye Sekibo, Senator Babs Tella, Chief Tom Ikimi, Mallam Saminu Turaki, Senator James Kolawole, Alhaji Lai Mohammed just to mention but a few.

After the colloquium and the brain-storming session, the ACN continued to organise rallies to engage the electorate and give them what they have in store for them. In Ogun State, the ACN flag was formally presented to the governorship candidate of ACN, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in Abeokuta where the crowd was massive at the Alake playing ground. They came in droves to hear what the ACN has to offer as they clamoured for change and a new lease of life. Also present were ACN leaders across the country.

The people of Ogun State have never had it so bad, with state induced violence, inexplicable killings, wanton neglect by government, in-fighting government, witch-hunting by the government, complete abandonment of certain areas of the state, execution of cosmetic and tokenistic projects that have no bearing on the lives and needs of the people.

The leader of the party, Asiwaju Tinubu said Amosun symbolises the change and liberation the people need. He explained that Ogun and Lagos should partner because of the proximity of the two states. He said, “I wish the people of Ogun State the best of luck and not good luck.” And Senator Amosun on his own part stated that he would run:

•A transparent government that will be beneficial to all sections of the state
•Free quality education from primary to secondary school level
•Quality healthcare service
•Enhance agriculture
•Boost the state’s internal revenue generation
•Create an enabling environment for industrialisation of the state.
Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, Mapo Hall premises where the ACN held its rally also witnessed a huge crowd , as people came from all the nooks and crannies of the state to see the epoch-making event. Also in attendance were ACN leaders from within and outside the state.
In the last four years or thereabouts the good people of Ibadan have been subjected to the worst form of maladministration as government in the state is in abeyance. Nothing has worked in the state, there is apparent infrastructure decay as the government of the day lacks focus, direction, mission and purpose; unfortunately the people of Oyo State are the worse for it and the present occupiers of office behave as if they don’t care a hoot about the people.
The governorship candidate of ACN in Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajumobi promised:
•The industrialisation of Oyo State through the massive encouragement and development of small and medium scale industries
•Systematic growth and development of international shopping malls, hotels, conference centres and golf courses
•Free qualitative and quantitative education at the primary and secondary school levels
•Efficient and excellent healthcare delivery service
•Agriculture revolution
•Creation of wealth and employment opportunities
•Massive and rapid infrastructure development
•Restoration of the past glory of Oyo State in all ramifications

—Ayobolu wrote from Lagos.

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