The Peoples Democratic presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, says his first assignment if elected Nigeria’s president will be the submission of a bill to the National Assembly for constitutional amendment towards the restructuring of Nigeria.
Atiku who spoke on Wednesday when he engaged members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Lagos, said he already had a working document on how Nigeria could be restructured to give the components members a sense of belonging and rights to the country.
Addressing the editors, the former vice president promised that when elected, his first assignment would be a submission of a proposal for a constitutional amendment that will ensure devolution of power.
According to him, devolution of power must go hand in hand with certain levels of resource control.
He said that he had already engaged constitutional lawyers who had submitted their proposal on how Nigeria could restructure via constitutional amendment.
He however stated that amending the constitution would involve the National Assembly and the state legislature, noting that he could not effect a change in the constitution solely as the President.
“I have set up a team of credible constitution lawyers to give me legislation I will present to the National Assembly on day one, I already have the document, but I can’t share the document with you.
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“Devolution of power goes hand in hand with a measure of resource control but it depends on the type of power we want to devolve.”
Atiku said that he would unite Nigerians and set up a “government of national unity”.
“In 1999, we had two presidential candidates from the south and the PDP won resoundingly well but we had a government of national unity.
“We had APP, AD ministers, and the country became one and this provided the peace and stability that we want. This is what I intend to do.
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“PDP will set up a government of national unity. It is one of the ways to unite this country. Every section or geo-political zone will be carried along in appointments in every sector,” he said.
In the present administration, the heads of the 17 security agencies are from the north. I will not do that. I will give every part of Nigeria a sense of belonging.”
When asked about his economic blueprint for Nigeria, Atiku said he intends to continue with the economic policy of the PDP government in 1999-2007 which includes the liberalisation of the economy, and empowerment of the private sector. “The economy will be more private-sector driven, there will be a concession of businesses.
“If you look at the thriving economy in the world, they allow the private sector to run the economy. If you see the amount of work the government has to do in terms of constructing and decongesting our ports, and railway, and you have to borrow, I will rather concession most of these projects to the private sector and give them tax incentives. This will bring progress, prosperity, and peace,” he said.
On the rift between the party and some of its aggrieved governors, Atiku said it was a family affair and that efforts were going on to reconcile all members of the party before the election.
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