By Oluwashina Iyanda
The Presidential Candidate of NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, says only the enthronement of good leaders will bring about the desired restructuring for national unity and development.
Sen. Kwankwaso made the remarks at the Editors Forum, an initiative of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), on Sunday in Lagos.
He said that there could only be restructuring if the nation had good leaders that can unite the country and upgrade security, economy and education among others.
The former two-term governor of Kano State, however, assured that his government, if elected, would listen to the views of Nigerians on restructuring.
”We will be open to discussions and negotiations and any adjustments capable of moving the country forward.
“We are not going to be rigid on restructuring, especially in the areas of insecurity, economy, education for development to take place,” The NewsZenith quoted him as saying.
On security, Kwankwaso expressed concern, lamenting that the north had been the worst hit.
“So many people have lost their lives and means of livelihood.
”Some are in the hospitals while some are internally displaced and cannot work.
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“We believe that there must be security for us to experience progress and development in a country.”
NNPP candidate added that after studying the level of insecurity in the country, he believed there was a need to recruit more security personnel.
Considering the ratio of civilians to military personnel, he said there was a need to increase the number from 750,000 of the nation’s armed forces bringing the total number to one million.
Kwankwaso said his government would also strengthen the police personnel by recruiting more able-bodied to bring the enrollment to one million policemen.
Reeling out some of his achievements as a two-term governor, Kwankwaso said he believed in human capital development and educational advancement.
“We built universities and also established 26 academic and manpower development training institutes, and through these institutes over 360,000 youth and women were trained and empowered.
“We also gave free lunch to students, gave scholarships to 370 outstanding students in the state and 148 full-time scholarships to Nigerian students all over the country,” he said.
Kwankwaso assured that such strides would continue if elected the next president of the country.
On stepping down for any other Presidential Candidate, Kwankwaso dismissed the notion.
He said it was coming from detractors who believed in wishful thoughts.
“NNPP is all out to win the 2023 election and there is nothing anyone can do about it.
”I know l will get the required numbers, ” Kwankwaso said.
Also speaking, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, NNPP’s founder and Chairman Board of Trustees of the party, expressed hope that Kwankwaso would be the next president of Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to join the party in order to build the new Nigeria of their dream.
Programmes and Policies
Earlier, President of the NGE, Mr Mustapha Isah said that the forum was interested in knowing the candidate’s plans and policies for the country so that the people could make informed choices.
Isah said that the forum would host all the presidential candidates while urging them to address key issues that concern the people and avoid attacks on individuals and false claims as campaigns continue.
“The Nigerian Guild of Editors pleads with politicians to avoid attacks on individuals.
”They should instead focus on the real issues concerning the ordinary people.
“I also urge the presidential candidates to call their spokespersons to order as some of their press statements and interviews are heating up the polity.
“On our part, we pledge to be neutral. Nigeria must get it right next year and we want issue-based campaigns,” he said.
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