before the election let compare the two promises Jonathan & Buhari made.
JONATHAN
The presidential candidate of the ruling PDP, Dr. Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan anchors his campaign for the 2015 election
on continuation of his transformation agenda, which he
clearly articulated in 2011. The thrust of his new manifesto
is more of consolidation of his modest achievements since
he assumed office on May 29, 2011.
JOB CREATION
The Jonathan administration is going to take job creation
serious. With a promise of two million jobs per annum, the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has promised to check the
growth rate of unemployment.
AGRICULTURE
With the current growth of agriculture at seven to eight per
cent, according to official figures, President Jonathan has
pledged to sustain the ongoing reforms in the sector.
GROWING THE ECONOMY
President Goodluck Jonathan has also assured he would
sustain the growth of Africa’s largest economy. The Federal
Government hopes to expand the rebased economy and
ensure real growth despite the challenges of dwindling oil
revenue. The PDP-led government has also pledged to
continue to diversify the economy.
INFRASTRUCTURE
President Jonathan promised to address the infrastructure
deficit in the country in key development areas such as
power, transportation, housing, information communication
technology (ICT), FCT and Niger Delta.
From the PDP manifesto, the revitalization, modernization
and expansion of the rails as well as road rehabilitation are
part of work to be done in this sector.
POWER
In its transformation agenda that covers the power sector,
the Jonathan administration promised to invest about
N1.896 trillion to improve this infrastructure. And with the
successes his regime flaunts, Jonathan has now pledged to
increase generation and distribution of electricity if re-
elected on March 28, 2015.
Interestingly, the present administration claims it has
generated more electricity than any past government with
over 4,500 MW. According to the president, generation
transmission lines also increased from 3,000km to 6,500km.
In the years ahead, the President assures things would get
better.
EDUCATION
Education is also a major issue in the PDP manifesto. The
Jonathan administration has, therefore, resolved to fund the
sector adequately. The PDP government equally desires to
increase school enrolment, especially at the primary level
and create more access to education through creative
funding of schools.
HEALTH SECTOR
The thrust of President Jonathan’s manifesto in the health
sector is the National Strategic Health Development Plan
(NSHDP). He has also promised to pursue policies and
programmes to achieve the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) and the Vision 20:2020.
WOMEN AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Gender equality is also given priority in Jonathan’s campaign.
He has, therefore, assured Nigerians that women would
even get more 35 per cent of appointments in his cabinet so
as to close the yawning gap between them and men. Youths
would also continue to benefit from the various
empowerment programmes like the SURE-P and Youwin.
MUHAMMADU BUHARI
Anti-corruption, National Security top BUHARI’s agenda
FOR the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu
Buhari, his major campaign promises are more like a
covenant with Nigerians to enable him bring about the
change they desire. And here is Buhari’s agenda if he wins
the 2015 presidential election.
CORRUPTION
The mantra of anti-corruption resonates in General Buhari’s
manifesto.
“I believe if Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will
kill Nigeria,” he declared.
He said he would publicly declare his assets if elected
president and wage serious anti-corruption war against
culprits through a National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
Access to justice and respect for fundamental human rights.
The APC presidential candidate equally pledged to run a
government that protects citizens’ fundamental human
rights. In fact, he said he would lead a government founded
on values that promote and protect these rights synonymous
with democracy.
INSURGENCY AND SECURITY
Buhari also pledged to take the issue of security serious. He
promised that under his watch, no force, external or internal
will overtake even an inch of Nigerian soul. He also assured
he would rescue the Chibok girls.
In summary, General Buhari said he would deliver a marshal
plan on insurgency, terrorism, ethnic and religious violence
and rural banditry.
HEALTH
On health, Buhari has a Health Sector Review Policy to
ensure health for all Nigerians irrespective of their status.
EDUCATION
Buhari has also vowed to restore the lost glory of education
by implementing reforms that would bring quality back into
schools. He would also position tertiary institutions to
provide market-relevant skills to youths as well as improve
school enrolment.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is equally a priority in the APC manifesto. He
hopes that the sector would be a major revenue earner as
oil prices fall.
INCLUSIVE ECONOMY
In his covenant with Nigerians, General Buhari acknowledges
that millions of Nigerians live below poverty level. So, his
Presidency aspires to benefit majority of the people through
a better management of the economy.
BUILDING REFINERIES
General Buhari has also promised to reform the oil sector,
build four refineries and unbundle the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), if elected President.
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