By Bassey Udo
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his vice presidential running mate, Yusuf Baba Datti-Ahmed, have released its manifesto, tagged “It’s POssible: Our Pact With Nigeria.”
The Head of Media of the Presidential Campaign Council of the party, Diran Onifade, said in a television interview that the document was formally unveiled to Nigerians on Sunday.
Onifade said the 62-page document anchored on a seven-point thematic agenda covering solutions to the challenges in virtually all key sectors of the economy, was produced with the presidential candidate taking leadership.
“Peter Obi, the candidate, played a prominent role in the production of the manifesto, unlike other political parties where the candidates have no idea of the contents of such a document,” Onifade said.
The key themes of the manifesto covered security, production, institutional reforms, the industrial revolution, infrastructural development, human capital development, and robust foreign policy.
Detailed review of the all colour document captured the various promises Obi and his running mate, Datti-Ahmed, promised Nigerians as their commitment through the offer of an honest and competent leadership if elected at the end of the February 2023 Presidential elections.
The seven-key priorities highlighted in the manifesto include to “secure Nigeria, end banditry and insurgency; and unite our dear nation, to manage our diversity such that no one is left behind.
“Shift emphasis from consumption to production by running a production-centred economy that is driven by an agrarian revolution and export-oriented industrialization.
“Restructure the polity through effective legal and institutional reforms to entrench the rule of law, aggressively fight corruption, reduce cost of governance, and establish an honest and efficient civil service.
“Leapfrog Nigeria into the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), through the application of scientific and technological innovations to create a digital economy.
“Build expansive and world-class infrastructure for efficient power supply, rail, road and air transportation, and pipeline network, through integrated public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurial public sector governance.
“Enhance the human capital of Nigerian youth for productivity and global competitiveness through investment in world-class scholarship and research, quality healthcare, and entrepreneurship education.
“Conduct an afro-centric diplomacy that protects the rights of Nigerian citizens abroad and advance the economic interests of Nigerians and Nigerian businesses in a changing world.”
The document said Obi and his running mate would, rough their dedicated action on the seven priorities on governance and
development priorities that mainstream the principles of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the aspirations of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy under Chapter 2 of the country’s Constitution, aimed at transforming the country.
