‘Buhari’s victory beginning of new Nigeria’

THE All Progressives Congress’ (APC)  National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Pius Akinyelure, said yesterday that the countdown to a new Nigeria “has indeed begun” with the victory of the party’s presidential candidate, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Oluyemi Osinbajo.

 Akinyelure, who spoke in a statement, said Buhari’s victory signalled the dawn of a new era for the nation, which he noted, would guarantee economic breakthrough, social justice, institutional strengthening and the rule of law.

Akinyelure noted that Buhari’s emergence in the just-concluded presidential election “is, no doubt, a defining moment in Nigeria’s recent history. His victory, too, is for all citizens of Nigeria, irrespective of party, race and religion.

“Given what happened during the electioneering, Buhari’s victory signals the dawn of a new era for Nigeria. It, also, indicates the beginning of new Nigeria, which we have all toiled to realise day and night through ballots and which they have long yearned to see after a 16-year reign of impunity in our fatherland”.

But, he said the victory at the polls was just a phase in the quest for new nation, noting that the task ahead “does not end at the poll. We have developed an inclusive manifesto to respond to diverse socio-economic and political challenges, which has defined Nigeria as one of the world’s most troubled countries.

The party’s vice chairman, therefore, assured that under the Buhari-Osinbajo administration, insecurity “will be effectively reverse. Aside, strong socio-political order that guarantee public safety will be established in the Northeast and Southsouth to create enabling environment for investments.

He added: “The surging unemployed population will be meaningfully engaged with a view to creating wealth across divides and reversing trends that lead to the explosion of our fatherland. The unemployment rate currently put at 29 per cent will be stemmed with the implementation of different programme we have already developed.

“Also, there is an assurance that institutions will be strengthened; the rule of law respected; human rights guaranteed; equal opportunities assured irrespective of political affiliation and social justice will be ensured in all parts of the country in line with our manifesto. We will all witness the dawn of new Nigeria that we all desire.”

The vice chairman, however, said nothing much could be done without the support of all Nigerians across all geo-political zones in the country. He urged all stakeholders irrespective of political leanings to make constructive and meaningful input “to the forthcoming Buhari-Osinbajo administration for the love of Nigeria”.