The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi said on Monday in Kaduna that he would rescue Nigeria from being “failed state” if he wins the 2023 election.
He described a “failed state” as one that is no longer in control of the economy and security, and that he was determined to change the slide as president.
The former governor of Anambra State was having an interactive engagement with groups that include the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, the Centre for Historical Development Research (Arewa House) and the Arewa Research and Documentation Project.
He said that institutional weakness and lack of political will to effect genuine change that would better the lives of Nigerians were the major bane of the country, and not lack of ideas.
He said he was committed to unlocking the greatness of the country and lifting her from a consuming country to a producing one, while reiterating that insecurity would be a thing of the past under his charge.
He promised employment opportunities for youth who, he said, are the tools used to perpetrate social vices across the country.
According to Obi, once jobs are created and the youths are gainfully engaged and made productive, insecurity would have been reduced to the barest minimum and would no longer be a lucrative business, adding that the security agencies would be adequately equipped.
“We want to bring a transformative government. The greatest assets of Nigeria are in the north.
“The greatest asset of Nigeria is vast uncultivated land in the north but these lands have been taken by bandits.
“We will bring Nigeria back to life. All banks will be shareholders in Bank Of Agriculture where our farmers can directly assess loans”, he said.
The presidential candidate also promised to eradicate poverty, saying that “when you pull people out of poverty, the rate of crime in the country will reduce”, adding that his candidature is for a new Nigeria where Nigerians would be proud of their fatherland.
Obi said corruption could only be fought to a standstill only “when one is not stealing”.
“Our past is gone. We are going to face the future. Fighting corruption is easy when one is not stealing. Our money is being stolen, subsidy is an organised crime.
“I want to give Nigerians hope. I and my running mate will be in charge. They will not find us wanting. We have physical strength. I will dialogue with every agitator because it will make us a better and united Nigeria”, he declared.
