Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has promised to address the age long crisis between farmers and herdsmen across the country, if elected President of Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar made the pledge in Makurdi, the Capital of Benue State in North Central Nigeria at the presidential campaign rally of PDP.
He particularly apologised and condoled with the families and Government of Benue State over the deaths which occured as a result of clashes between herders and farmers in the state and promised to reunite the people as a title holder of “Zege Mule U Tiv”, the umbrella of all the Tiv people worldwide.
“I promise you, if you elect me, just as I did in 2011, when I came and made all the Fulani to sign a Peace Accord with their Tiv brothers, I will come and make sure peace returns to Benue”.
The Presidential Candidate acknowledged the status of Benue State as the food basket of the nation but regretted that farmers in the state can no longer go to their farmers because of insecurity.
“Today, our farmers in this state can’t go to farm again because of insecurity. I will make sure security returns to Benue State”.
He also said his administration would address the issue of unemployment headlong by providing jobs for the teeming youths of Nigeria.
“I promise you, by the grace of God, unemployment will be a thing of the past. That is why in my policy document, I said we are going to allocate 10 billion US dollars to empower our young men and women with enterprises”.
“You know what we did between 1999 and 2015. We brought jobs, we brought prosperity, we brought peace to this country. We have the experience to repeat those things again. This is the reason why you must trust us with your mandate again”.
On the issue of infrastructure deficit, Mr. Atiku gave the assurance that his administration will address it in line with his policy document which is aimed at reinvigorating the transportation system.
“The infrastructural deficit you are facing in this state in terms of connectivity with other neighbouring states will be fixed because we are going to make sure that we vote funding for development of both roads and railways to make sure our transportation system is once again working”.
Railway System
Atiku promised to fix the moribund railway system which places Benue State as the gateway linking both the Northern and Southern parts of the country.
The PDP presidential candidate reaffirmed his resolve to end incessant strikes in Nigerian Universities through adequate funding and regular payment of salaries to the academic and non academic staff.
“I have a private University, we have never gone on strike for one day. So, if a private University cannot go on strike for one day, why should a public University go on strike.
National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu said the leadership of the party is working tirelessly to bring back the aggrieved G-5 Governors of into the fold, giving the assurance that the party was ready to welcome them.
Ayu who disagreed with some misconceptions that the party was divided commended Governor Victor Ikpeazu of Abia State for taking the bold step to reunite with the party and urged other members of the G-5 Governors to reconsider their decision in the greater interest of Nigerian masses who are looking up to PDP to provide succour to the nation.
“I’m conscious of the fact that time is not on our side but I can assure you that one week is enough to bring our aggrieved members back into the fold”, Ayu stated.
