Just before voting at the APC presidential primary got underway, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun took the opportunity to formally present the party’s manifesto for ratification by party delegates.
At about 1 am this morning, all the four presidential aspirants were called up to the stage to address the delegates.
Addressing the delegates, one of the leaders of APC and former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, said the history of Nigeria was about to be re- written for the better.
He enjoined delegates to do what is just by choosing the right person to re-direct the affairs of the country, adding that they should eschew parochial interests.
He said the convention would demonstrate to Nigerians that there is only one party that can conduct the most transparent presidential primary.
In his address, Oyegun said the sign of change in the leadership of the country was already in the air.
Oyegun formally welcomed a former national chairman of the PDP, Chief Banabas Gemade, who defected recently to the opposition party to contest for Benue North-east senatorial seat in his state.
He said because the effort to rescue Nigeria required the support of everyone, the presidential aspirants will be expected to keep to their earlier resolve to back anyone of them that emerges the winner of the contest.
One of the major high points of the convention was the presentation and ratification of the manifesto of the APC.
Giving insight on the manifesto, Oyegun gave key areas to include national security, food security, human capital development, foreign policy, youth development, sports and creation of a social security net.
He said under an APC government, 25 million jobless youths will be placed under some kind of stipends, adding that it also plans to build a million houses every year.
He said the party had articulated a clear policy direction on how to achieve the targets.
According to him, the manifesto of the party was like a social contract with Nigerians, which it will strive hard to fulfill.
“The party promises free, fair, elections and a genuine fight against corruption,” he said.
One of the leaders of the opposition party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu further assured Nigerians that the party is the vehicle for the anticipated change in the country.
He said the time to make a choice has come, adding that if indeed Nigerian are tired of the failings of the People Democratic Party (PDP), they must seize the opportunity of the next election to vote in APC.
In his speech welcoming delegates to the convention, the Chairman of the APC Presidential Convention Committee and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi described the event as a major signpost on the journey to a new Nigeria.
He said the convention will not only produce the presidential standard-bearer of the party, but will also be used to demonstrate his democratic credentials through the transparent primary.
“Today, we will appeal to the hearts and minds of the majority of Nigerians, who though are desperately seeking change, but are constrained from actively participating in partisan politics towards bringing about change due to their cynicism about the internal dynamics of political parties,” he said.
Also, while addressing the gathering, Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, said the convention would lead to a change in the affairs of the nation.
He said the PDP-led federal government has reneged severally on promises made to Nigerians.
“There were several promises made, which were severally broken,” adding that the people have an opportunity to replace broken promise with fullfiled promises.
He reminded the party delegates that they had gathered to elect that man who will help to change Nigeria for the better.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal said APC is set to make history by producing a credible alternative candidate who will replace the incompetent and visionless leadership in Abuja.
He expressed confidence that an APC led-federal government will proceed to immediately arrest the insurgency, which has taken a great toll on the country.
Source: ThisDay
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