THE BUHARI PROGRAMME
For Nigeria to attain its full potential, and its rightful place in the committee of nations, it has to emerge as a just nation that is stable, secure and prosperous. To succeed in this regard, there is a need to harness Nigeria 's enormous natural and human endowments to achieve political stability, economic prosperity and security. Any attempt at a serious advancement of our country must also entail a careful appreciation of current global as well as internal realities both in the realm of political trends and policies of economic management, in a manner that also protects the basic economic and sovereign interests of the Nigerian nation. The Buhari Programme is a document which encapsulates my vision and mission, and goes further to elaborate them as they relate to the present state of our nation, its governance and management of the various sectors of the socio-economy. It is a presentation that lays the basis for a detailed blueprint for governance and development of our country, what I call Project Nigeria , which God willing, I will faithfully implement under my Presidency. Several national issues are considered in the programme with specific strategies on how to address them. These include, but are not limited to the following:
* Governance
* Defence & Security
* Economic Management
* Agriculture & Water Resources
* Power Supply
* Transportation
* Telecommunication
* Industrial Development
* The Petroleum Sector
* Solid Minerals Development
* Education
* Youth Development And Empowerment
* Sports
* Women's Development
* Health
* Housing
* Environment
* Foreign Policy
* Science And Technology
* Cultural Institutions
* Traditional Institutions
* Information and Media
MY WORD OF HONOUR
AND
THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE
You are no doubt aware of the spate of patriotic calls, urging me to enter the race for the seat of the President/Chief Executive of the most populous Black Country in the world – NIGERIA – The only country we can call our own.
To me, nothing can be more honourable than these unsolicited and very genuine calls by a people who appreciate good leadership qualities in all its ramifications. Needless to say here that I am most overwhelmed by these calls knowing that I, Muhammadu Buhari is an individual among the sea of heads in Nigeria .
Faced with these numerous patriotic calls, I had no choice than to critically weigh these calls against the background of many factors, which are personal and that of the overall interest of this great country – NIGERIA the only country, we can call our own. In my attempt to weigh these patriotic calls, I did not allow the political advantages attached to this high office of President/Chief Executive to becloud my very sincere sense of judgement.
Having served in the corridor of power for several years, I realized and came to the conclusion that power itself is the mortal enemy of freedom. Therefore, in accepting it, it is pertinent for whoever wants to be President/Chief Executive of this our beloved country, to first realize that the dreams, future, time, stability, development of Nigeria are shaped by and contained in the power to be entrusted on him.
Hence the need for sober reflections and GOD's guidance so that he does not contradict every basic principle power stand for.
The spate of these unsolicited calls has given me the robust strength and the conviction to put my humble self at the service of my country. I therefore assure the masses of Nigeria irrespective of the political ideology that I will not abandon the economic and social development of our country for the rhetoric's of politics.
Because I realize the need for me to see the entire people of Nigeria as one indivisible people so that I can be firm and fair in mediating difference within our people without aggravating old sore spots or creating new ones. From all indications, the Nigerian people are amazed and saddened at the low level performance of the Obasanjo's led PDP administration but I take consolations in the fact that today, Nigerians are WISER to know where they fitted come 2007. A change is inevitable.
You are aware that the Obasanjo's administration of PDP, despite its acclaimed successes on the pages of newspapers, National Television and other government owned media organs, for the past 7 years did not show any serious attempt at bringing the poor impoverishment programmes of the welfarist into our economic system, which eventually provides for self-reliance.
After many years of experience in the corridor of power, I have grown to abhor the selfish thinking of those who believe that their assumed superior education, selfishness and their so-called refined sensibility allows them alone to rule or lead the ordinary Nigerian on whose sweats they thrive.
My urge to accept to run an elective office is predicated on the realization that there are self-enforced walls of mistrust, misunderstanding and parochialism among our people arising from political differences and personal ambition. I also want to restore confidence, preserve our rich cultural heritage, rekindle hope and confidence in our people.
You will agree with me that despite the acclaimed development in all its ramifications, a trip to our rural areas reveals abject poverty, wretchedness and hunger written on the faces of the masses that we are supposed to cater for. With what I have seen and what our people are contending with, it is my considered view that the time has long passed when the real quality of human life can be dismissed or toyed with. To me, act of politics is not to control people but as an instrument for liberating people from poverty, illiteracy, disease, ignorance and fear. In view of this, I have challenged myself to enter any tent, knock to any door in search for solutions to the economic, social and political problems staring our people in the face.
Today, Nigerians are deeply appalled at the flagrant failure of the Obasanjo's PDP administration to bring about the long promised security, orderliness and an enhanced standard of living to our people. As your next President/Chief Executive, how to restore the faith of the oppressed as a result of political differences, the unsatisfied, the poor, the dispossessed whether as individual or as a group will engage my early attention with a view to restoring hope and the belief of our people in their government.
There are more factions in the country be it political or otherwise than at any other time in our history. Today, our prominent sons and daughters no longer see eye to eye for various reasons. This does not promote the much-needed unity in our polity. For all intent and purpose, dispersion does not help to weld a people together for development. Therefore as your next President, I will make it my priority to arouse the enthusiasm and loyalty of all the citizens of this country, so that together, we can build a solid foundation not only for peace and unity among us but stamp out the emergence of further deep-lying differences, which if allowed to persist will lead to explicit non-negotiable confrontation among us as a people.
Despite the sweeping promises made by Obasanjo's PDP government when it came into power 7 years ago, Nigerians still live in their natural environment with little or no change in their way of life. Therefore, we must speak out and draw the attention of this PDP government to her failed promises to the masses of this country. We cannot remain silent in the face of escalating suffering and hardship being experienced by our people. Against this backdrop, we must engage ourselves in complete sensitisation of the electorate on the dangers of voting for the wrong politicians again.
POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES
At the beginning of the present PDP administration, a large sum of money was budgeted and disbursed for Poverty Alleviation Programme. A programme that was meant to contain unemployment among the youths. Yet few jobs were created, even if only sweeping the streets or staying at home and collecting half the stipulated amount, it is very amazing that few months after the programme took off, few Chieftains of PDP hijacked the programmes and since then, the programme had more or less produced a better feeling and better living conditions for them than the masses the programme was meant.
In view of this, the alleviation of poverty in Nigeria is the cornerstone of my political ambition. To achieve this, knowing that the challenge of the future is here, I will challenge all well-meaning Nigerians and private investors to be part of the instruments of fate for creating a virile and great NIGERIA , where the masses in their abiding fate will rise to the challenge of development. Development we must continue to create because the masses can never achieve a state of equilibrium. In order to ameliorate the suffering the masses, my administration will be composed of professionals and good politicians who have the inner glowing desire to help what they consider to be poor, benighted ordinary people and to represent the masses against what they consider to be the reactionary part of the system that has been suppressing the masses. To me, politics is no religion, it is for the improvement of the quality of life of the community and person. Because a government success is measured by the level of its economic progress as expressed in its aggregate macro-economic policies. In order to cater for the masses, my administration will remain the driving force of the process of development, while partnering with domestic and foreign investors. The present government has failed to realize this fundamental obligation of government therefore dividends today eluded the people of this country.
I have no doubt that the frequency and zeal with which highlight the problems of the masses, will make a harsh and dissonant sound in the ears of our opponent. But based on my sincerity of purpose, I will continue to champion the case of both the grassroots people and the neglected youths of our country. I will continue to oppose with all the ounce of energy in me, and predatory government that debases, harass and regiment the poor masses and our youths into a special political constituency, without even scratching the surface of the solution of poverty, a solution which common sense tells us, is to be found in work. My initial assignment to the problems of the masses, and the youths will be substantially increase spending for obvious domestic needs such as poverty, employment, education, housing, medical services, environmental control and hunger. Those are income-generating enterprises that will have multiple effects on the life of our people. Our administration under the banner of ANPP, has an urgent duty to keep faith with the yearnings of the masses even while simultaneously working to establish structures to consolidate emerging gains, knowing that man as political animal is often more dissatisfied than satisfied.
Through my usual down-to-earth discussions with the masses, it was interesting to know that the masses for the first time in the history of this nation, are now putting aside their political differences to speak with one voice through the articulations of their common problems, which has suffered so much neglect for over 7 years in the hand of the present PDP government. According to them, they are ready and prepared to oppose this present PDP government that is only interested in making the poor masses as CANON FODDER for their selfish interest. To the present PDP government, I say with all sincerity of purpose that the case of the masses deserves a special hearing, not so much on account of its characteristically painstaking patience but for its contributions to their being where they are today. The masses deserve your sympathy and compassion.
Our administration under the banner of ANPP, definitely will have no room for people who are not connected and ready to embark on a unified long-range economic planning of the highest quality for the benefit of the masses and our dynamic and willing youths. Definitely not people who believe in political expediency merely for transitory monetary and political gain. I will make the masses part of the economic mainstream of our country.
The difference between our administration and the present administration is that the present leadership believes in clinging to the tried ideas and the landmark of the past, while, we are committed to testing the soundness of new ideas and new strategies that can move the masses to the promised height of life more abundance and the transformation of rural to urban settings.
My political elders told me that “ a leader is but a bus driver whose passengers will leave if he fails to take them in the direction which they wish to go. Hence, the leadership should be armed at striving to achieve a goal or objective”. Definitely, passengers are already disembarking from the Obasanjo's PDP bus for lack of direction and destination by the leadership. So what are you waiting for? Join our moving bus that has the direction and destination, before the PDP rudderless bus of this present administration crashes into seas.
My decision to run for the office of President/Chief Executive has become a personal challenge in order to prove my worth, where others have failed. My intellect, ability and judgment where others have failed to utilize theirs for the common goal of our people. Rather say, see them as instruments for enriching their personal pockets to the detriment of the masses they are supposed to serve. They failed to use the advantages to achieve co-operation and cohesion, honesty, patriotism, self-confidence, accountability, equity and social justice and the most needed discipline. The present leadership has failed in this direction.
To our youths and women, I honestly and sincerely share in your agitations to share and partake in the decision making in our polity. To me personally, your agitations are genuine demands for new values, new perspectives and new horizons in the life of a people and I must commend you for your resolve to go about this noble call and demand peacefully through the landscape of law and democracy. If voted as your President/Chief Executive, my administration will make your dreams come true!
Since the present PDP administration has failed to show enough commitment to the training of our tomorrow leaders, my ANPP administration will accept the responsibility of preparing the leadership of tomorrow whose training must match the kind of demands of the society of tomorrow. In this country today, we have many gifted youths behind the close doors of ignorance. We lock-up our possibilities if we do not open the gate of intellectualism to the children of Nigeria , so that they can be competitive and participate meaningfully in governance.
PATRIOTS
Patriots of Nigeria , please allow me the opportunity to share with you my great fears and disappointments about the state of affairs in this country for the past 7 years. I have watched with disappointment how deeply ingrained are the customs and practice that must be changed in the style of our governance and how stubbornly the heritage of poverty that has persisted from generation to generation. Yet Nigeria is richer today than at any time in our history. Today, poverty has been institutionalised by our present PDP government all because they have not tried enough. Therefore, we cannot allow the present PDP administration to be indifferent to the plight of our people.
As I said earlier, the welfare of Nigeria and its people is the cornerstone of my political ambition and I am prepared to enter any tent, knock at any door, support any group and individuals to see that together we banish poverty, hunger, unemployment especially among our youths by instating sustainable means of making life more abundant for our people. Therefore, in the next political dispensation, Nigeria requires the leadership that will free our politics from inflated rhetoric's that promised more than it can deliver. Nigeria needs the leadership that has the capacity, intellectual depth and the political WILL to deal with the whole gamut of the social, economic and the political problems facing Nigeria in the 21 st century. A century that is witnessing monumental progress and achievement in other part of the world.
As a humble citizen of this country and a man of deep compassion for humanity, I am inwardly worried about the poor state of the masses, hence my sincere resolve to go into active politics so that the overwhelming majority of our people can start living well above poverty level. I have no doubt, that with sincerity of purpose and the political WILL on our side, together we can work assiduously to ameliorate the living condition of the patriotic people of Nigeria .
From my vantage position, the indication is that Nigerians are tired, and they are calling on their tiers of governments to replace slogans with pragmatism and move towards real economic development that will impact on the life of the people of this country. By non-provision of essentials to the masses, it is clear that the present PDP government has scarified the well being of the masses for the demand of power. Power that they have continued to use against the electorate who actually voted them into where they are today.
OUR LEADERS OF TOMORROW (YOUTHS)
I had the opportunity of serving this great country for a long period of years and this enabled me to assess the roles of the youths in the positive development of their environments. I have been deeply concerned about the roles and the future of our tomorrow's leaders – THE YOUTHS OF NIGERIA! My thoughts and concern, has taken me far and wide in an attempt to seriously proffer solutions that are sustainable to the various challenges facing the most dynamic part of our population – the youths. I am convinced that the youths have the energy, the enthusiasm, resourcefulness, drive to play a meaningful role in our polity – but their single disappointment is the refusal of the group they refer to as “ men of yesterday” who have refused to quit the stage for fresh ideas in politics, economics, policy formations, implementations and social regenerations. The youths may be right in their disappointment. For long now, the phrase leaders of tomorrow has been over-used, bastardised and over-panelled. Not that I don't believe in the ability of the youths to be the leaders of tomorrow, but the question that has been ranging in my mind has been – What foundation has our society and government aid for the youths to enable them assume the responsibilities of tomorrow's leadership? In my characteristic concern for the youths, I took an inventory of the political resources of our young persons in order to see how they would be used to achieve the desired goals in the interest of the society. I see in the youths of Nigeria , great will, determination, focus, desire, intellect, willingness and the desire to participate in the governance of this nation.
You are aware that for the past 7 years, we have witnessed the deliberate exclusion of the youths and the poor from participating within our state government and more from the local government, which is said to be the government nearest to the people. We believe that, for any government to be representative, the energies, political inventiveness, ideas and the leadership of youths must be enlisted. Because the inclusion of youths in governance, will be an added stimulus to the efforts of any government to improve the lives of the masses at the grassroots. My administration will not only be inclusive but a participatory one.
The dynamic and action-oriented youths of this nation, 7 years into our democratic dispensation, the leadership of this country, still pretend not to appreciate the fact that his whims and caprices cannot drive the social, economic and political train of this nation to prosperity. For a new leadership with zeal, intellect and profile, the youths must be prepared for political drive and orientation among the masses to see the need for a positive change of baton into ASO ROCK VILLA.
Today, every where I go in this country, I hear the cry of our youths about the flagrant failure of the government to bring about the long promised security of life and property, employment, orderliness and economic enhancement. You are not the only one in this dilemma; it is common cry among the generality of our people across the federation. For a change, for a new and achievable hope, prosperity and good polity, you as the beacon of hope for the masses, you must participate in the new efforts to effect a change in the leadership of this country through democratic means come 2007 – The year of elections into all the tiers of government. You must be part of new change!
It is an open secret that the failure of the present government of PDP to communicate effectively with the youths, has really deepened due largely to the inability of government to create an enabling environment for interaction. My administration, apart of being participatory, will create avenues for constant trading of ideas, new realities, new thinking and how to strategize the way forward in tackling likely problem areas.
I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our youths who are in higher institutions of learning that Nigeria belongs to all of us therefore we must possess it. We should not and cannot leave it for any spent force whether they are fat or slim cats. We should not be frightened out of our democracy. We can then all re-examine our focus, strategize in such a way that we can win the coming elections. A victory that will usher in a new beginning in the areas of adequate security, employment of youths through sustainable employment programme, as well as infrastructural development. You will agree with me that the present PDP government specialized in majoring minor areas of governance. This is very unfortunate; it has not justified the confidence reposed in it by the people of Nigeria . Do I hear you say that this government does not believe in the sacredness of promises and agreements? You may be right but don't say I told you this!
An idea can change the lives of our youths, women and the generality of Nigerians; I have ideas that can change the fortunes of our people. Against this backdrop, we all have to be STACKHOLDERS in the actualisation of these ideas so that Nigerians, especially the youths can start living a fulfilled life. I have no doubt that with new ideas, we can start the glorious path of economic growth, good educational system, good governance that believes in participatory development, and the instruments that will make it possible to eliminate poverty, ignorance, idleness among our dynamic youths.
From my observations and interactions with the masses, I discovered that the poor who need services of government most, are the very ones that never have them. This very unfortunate trend must be stopped. In place of this blatant – selfishness and non-concern for the poor, my administration under the banner of ANPP will adopt the philosophy that makes the masses the centre-piece and the greatest beneficiaries of our development strategy. This emphasizes the satisfaction of basic needs of the masses through self-reliance and sustained economic growth. I Muhammadu Buhari has no magic words, but I have the vision, the will, compassion and the determination to initiate, actualise and implement programmes that will bring relief to our people. From all indications, the present leadership of PDP is merely and routinely discharging the duties assigned to it and has failed to explore new ideas that will improve the living conditions of our people. My administration will display greater imagination and creativity in devising new strategic policies and programmes. In essence, my administration will institute and carry out programmes where no formal guidelines, institutions or procedures exist. I call this LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES AND IMAGINATIONS!
Rather than elevate political falsehood to a political philosophy as we are witnessing today, I will use my enviable position to light the darkest heart of the masses at the grassroots so that they feel how it fells to be happy under human and people-oriented government. I believe that it will give the people the fair share of the nation resources, it will definitely enhance their sense of belonging and commitment to the nation.
From what is happening, it is a fact that the present PDP government is not interested in the truth, or ideas or the welfare of the masses, instead they are involved with the politics of advantages and political competition not between ideas than can improve the lives of our people but between personalities and factions. Therefore, the concern for the well being of the masses, has taken the back seat in their priorities. We have the political weapons to make our politicians live up to their responsibility and expectation to fulfil their campaign promises and make life more comfortable for all of us rather than selected individuals.
Finally, our leaders of tomorrow, I thank you and it was nice sharing my ambitions and views with you. But let me assure you that as a youth at heart and in compassion, my administration will devise programmes that will keep you fully and meaningfully occupied in study, work and sports and thereby prevent your abundant energies from being diverted into anti-social delinquent activities such as DRUGS, CULTISM AND ARMED ROBBERY etc.
As leaders of tomorrow, you must have VISION not blurred by pride. Definitely not VISION marred by egoism. As patriotic citizens, your VISION must be illuminated by principles, sincerity, realism and love. Therefore you must behave in such a way as to show the growing youth that it pays to be trustful, honest, dedicated, industrious and faithful to your country.
WOMEN
You will agree with me that every avenue of power within our society is entirely in male hands. Therefore the relationship between the sexes is and always has been a political one – a continuing power struggle in which women are sometimes idolized, other times patronized and always exploited.
REMEMBER WOMEN ARE THE ENGINE ROOM OF OUR ELECTORAL PROCESS
Therefore, we should look beyond our political environment and see what women in other nations are contributing. They contribute to economic, social and political development of their countries. In view of this, the ANPP is calling for the change of view about the role of women in governance.
We must give our women folks the opportunity to excel in politics not being used as dishrags at election time and dumped at the point of decision making. This is the only way that we can together move this country forward irrespective of gender. It is an open secret that men and women can see things differently. A lot more would be achieved if their views could be harmonized in the interest of the nation. We must all get together and free our women from the shackles of gender oppression. If our women are good in campaigning for males and voting at elections, then they are worthy of being part of governance. My administration will give pride of place to our women folks who are our mothers – Do I hear you say after all, they are our wives! Yes they are our wives but the circumstance of today has created a trend whereby we have to walk side by side and at times a little bit ahead of us for obvious circumstance so that together, we can give this nation the much needed leadership qualities irrespective of gender.
SECURITY
Today, our people talk about when they could freely move across this country. They talk of safety of life and property in the past. If elected your President/Chief Executive, these feelings of unsafe environment, loss of human passion and lack of concern for care for one another will be a thing of the past.
Though bitter, but it is pertinent to point out here that we live in an age of division between those of us who can afford three square meals a day and those who find it difficult to afford even one. The rich and the poor masses. In view of this unfortunate scenario, a nation or a state where a few individuals constitute Island of Wealth in a sea of despair is fundamentally insecure and morally intolerable. My administration on assumption of office will tackle this glaring inequality frontally so that the masses who consider themselves dispossessed will not become the seedbed of upheaval. Let us jointly heed the warning of the late john Kennedy who said – “ If you cannot provide security for many that are poor, you cannot protect the few that are rich” unquote. To avoid this ugly situation, my administration will function in a way that respects the realities so that Nigeria can be transformed into a virile country founded on equality, justice and concern for the happiness of the masses on whose sweat the nation and the wealthy strives. Only in peaceful atmosphere can the much needed abundance be achieve.
RURAL DRIFT
In the past 7 years, we witnessed and experienced rural crisis, accelerated migration of the poor and our able youths to our big towns, deterioration of housing, education, health services, security of life and poverty. These to me, are the challenges of democracy but unfortunately, the present government of PDP, raised expectations more than it improves the means of achieving these expectations. The people in the rural areas are part and parcel of us. Therefore they deserve our urgent attention. Until the differences between the standards of living of the URBAN and the RURAL people are closed and accommodated, the mass movement of the rural people to the cities will continue to create social tension in our polity. In view of the obvious inability on the part of the Obasanjo's PDP government to proffer solutions to urban and rural decay, due to poverty of idea and reasoning on the part of the leadership, I call on the youths and the rural masses that together, we must affect a change in the leadership and the administration of this nation through the ballot box come 2007 so that, people in the rural areas can begin to enjoy those things that attracts them to the cities. To achieve this, I call on our people living in the rural areas not to be deterred from politicians and political leaders whose only ambition is to enrich their pockets. To the youths in the rural areas, it is your duty as the arrow-head of the masses to actively get involved in the sensitisation on the importance of making the right choice during the coming elections in 2007.
EDUCATION
An overview of the educational situation in our country, is a very fearful and worrisome phenomenon which should be tackled with all the seriousness it deserves. The child education is rather deteriorating at an alarming rate. My administration will give education the pride of place as the most important vehicle for social transformation under the banner of ANPP, will urgently reverse the current admittedly deplorable state of our educational institutions with poor physical facilities, extremely low moral arising from poor condition of service and work environment for both staff and students. We shall rejuvenate the crumbling education edifice by undertaking a thorough comprehensive, systematic review of the entire educational industry. Our main focus shall be on the following:-
a) Comprehensive vision of the role envisaged for education in the development drive and the anticipated contributions of each educational level for the achievement of such vision;
b) Appropriate incentives to make teaching not only attractive but professionally more dignifying and satisfying;
c) Adequate funding and equipment of laboratories, workshops in all our institutions of learning;
d) Emphasis on computer literacy;
e) Adequate provisions and furnishing of classrooms as appropriate to each level;
f) Encouragement of each institution to develop its peculiar character and tradition;
g) Free and compulsory education for all our children up to the junior secondary level; etc.
h) Adequate provision of basic texts, journals, laboratory and standardized workshop equipment in our educational institutions to encourage a culture of science and technology. With the trend of events world over, and to be able to meet up development, we require more SCIENTISTS than we need PHILOSOPHERS. We shall therefore encourage students to develop the flair of SCIENCE. (This nation is in need of technological development that will impact on the lives of the masses).
ECONOMY
The policy thrust of an ANPP administration shall be on proper and efficient management of our resources to ensure growth and expansion, job creation and employment opportunities. My administration will set an example of fiscal and financial responsibility. Our main focus shall be:
a) Creation and sustenance of an environment conducive to growth and structural transformation of Nigeria to an economically viable nation (let us not forget that a strong political system is nurtured by a sound stable economic foundation).
b) We shall run an administration that believes in financial transparency and accountability in management of our resources.
c) Massive improvement in our infrastructural services such as power, water and transportation and road networks (water one of the necessities of life, have eluded the patience of the masses in some parts of this country due to misplacement of priorities. I give my word of honour that issue of water will receive priority attention of my administration.
d) Our administration will invest in human resources and skills development projects especially in the important sector of science and technology, appropriated and adapted to our development priorities
e) Rapid expansion/creation of improvement in all tourism related infrastructures such as hotels, transportation, plant development, parks and other recreational facilities.
HEALTH
Improved health care will be built on the expansion of primary health care services with emphasis on better quality of social, physical and attitudinal environments and thus better disease prevention. More especially, we shall focus on the following:
a) Expansion of the existing pharmaceutical facilities;
b) Completion of all abandoned health projects.
c) Adequate remuneration of health personnel/professional to arrest their flight to greener pastures.
d) Expansion of health facilities in the rural areas and the encouragement of health personnel/professionals through appropriate incentive to accept to serve in such areas.
e) Provision of recreational facilities through the establishment of parks, play grounds etc.
f) Proper focus on the health needs of most vulnerable sector of our society such as the aged, children and women of childbearing age.
AGRICULTURE
It is an open secret that a nation that cannot feed itself is an enslaved nation. Therefore, one of our priorities will be massive production of food for local consumption as well as servicing of agro-based industries. In our scale of importance, the small-scale farmer will remain the bulwark of our production effort. The corner stone of our production strategy, will be explicit recognition of those small holdings, producers and enabling them to flourish.
a) Provide fertilizers on time.
b) Provide benefits on research.
c) Provide good road network.
d) Availability of credit facilities.
e) That farming is a worthwhile and dignified occupation.
RURAL AREAS
a) Provision of adequate facilities and social amenities in our rural areas and thus arrest the dangerous drift to the urban centres.
b) Availability of credit facilities at affordable rate to enable individuals borrow money and build or buy their houses.
c) Expansion of government housing programmes to benefit the lower and intermediate segments of our society.
d) Improvement of the quality of sanitary services, water, transportation and other urban services to make life more relaxed, interesting and creative for our rural dwellers.
CHANGE
In my usual and candid manner of engaging our dynamic youths in discussions that cut across spectrum of issues of international, national and state issues, I found the recent comments made by three articulate youths in our higher institutions of learning worthy of sharing with you:-
1) “Having watched the political behaviour of the present PDP government for the past 7 years and its non-impact on the life of our people, I have come to realize that the cost of failure on the part of our government far exceeds the price of progress. In view of this blatant failure, we the youths can no longer tolerate from the government an attitude of how much can be promised, how little can be performed. We therefore need a change of government, government that makes the problems of the masses it priority”.
2) “As young people with vision and energy, we are not impressed with the performance of our current PDP government. We have resolved to get this nation together and rebuild its orientation and unity under a new and dynamic government. We need a dynamic/reliable person in government. To us, a change is inevitable”.
3) “We the young, are convinced beyond doubt that we not only possess the ability to govern but that our thinking is broadly representative of the mainstream of the views across this country. By this, we are convinced we can move this country forward to political, social and economic greatness only if there is a change from the present government of PDP to a more purposeful and pragmatic government”.
In view of the above views expressed by our young persons, you are at liberty to draw a conclusion. But before that, I want you to note the word that kept coming up in the three views expressed. The word is CHANGE.
From all indications, the masses of this country are battered internally even though without visible bruises. In view of this dissatisfaction on the part of our masses, my administration under the banner of the greater ANPP will enlist the energies and the enthusiasm of the masses towards the building of a prosperous and humane nation based on equality, justice, accountability and fear of GOD. A nation that can provide and the leadership who believes in pragmatism and not idealism. A nation that has ears and can listen.
Finally, I firmly believe there will be another opportunity for us to interact again on issues of governance. But before then, let me appeal to you and all of us, to come together and re-examine and re-focus and strategize in such a way we can win the coming elections by 2007. Your contributions in terms of ideas and strategies will be highly appreciated. This appeal goes to all the good people of Nigeria irrespective of political affiliations.
Lastly, please forgive me for engaging your precious time, and make sure you guard your vote come 2007.
You have my word of honour!
Sincerely,
Muhammadu Buhari.
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