Nigeria too fractured for inexperienced presidential candidates —Okowa

Canvasses For State Police, Health Insurance

Delta State Governor and the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, said Nigeria was too fractured for an inexperienced person to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

Okowa said what it takes to the right wrongs done to the nation by the current administration, is the emergence of the PDP’s presidential candidate and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar as the 16th President of the country.

This is coming as over 60 youth groups in Nigeria declared their support for the presidential aspiration of Atiku’s presidency in 2023.

Speaking at an event organised by Green Assembly Initiative (GAI) to mark the International Youth Day 2022, Okowa wondered why the country has been unable to take deep decision, particularly on acceptance of state policing to curb insecurities or embrace National Health Insurance policy for all.

It was on that backdrop that PDP’s vice presidential candidate promised that Atiku’s government would adopt policies that would advance progress for the benefit of Nigerians.

According to the Delta Governor, Nigeria today appears very frightening, urging the masses not to lose hope, saying it’s possible to work together, trust in fellow Nigerians and begin the process of rebuilding the country.

“Our building process starts in 2023 when Atiku Abubakar becomes the President. And if we do not elect the right person, we’ll find ourselves getting somebody who would get on seat and stays confused on that seat because the problems will overwhelm.

Nigeria’s issues are not about communication. It is not about power because all those things are there. It is not easy to govern in this nation, where the rule of law is taken for granted. Not too many people have such experiences. Our oneness is being threatened. Why? Not because of the north or south, Muslim and Christians, but because there’s frustration everywhere, there’s poverty everywhere. We don’t seem to have the answers because everything just appears to be going downhill.

“And then, the issue of social security is no longer there. The security in the land is worsening; our economy is in terrible shape. We cannot continue in that state. We must prioritise our priorities. We must continue to look at the right things, what we ought to do,” he added.

While sympathising with Nigerians, especially the youths for the difficult times in Nigeria, Okowa said: “The youths have a role to play in assisting or working with the leadership of the country to begin to re-educate our people, re-emphasise education, re-emphasise family management, population management, re-emphasise the issues that can help us.

“There are barriers everywhere in our lives; we cannot continue to frustrate the youths. So, we need to begin a consensus together. That is what I, and Atiku Abubakar stand for. He’s the only one that has had a similar experience in 1999. Together with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, they’re able to take us out of a difficult situation.

“It is not about the PDP or APC, it is about who can salvage us at the moment; we must think aloud, so that we will not allow the trauma in our minds to make us take the wrong decision.

“Today, you’re going to hear from Amotekun. You’re going to hear various voices, even the governors are crying. And they have begun to equip themselves with weapons, even unlawfully.”

Speaking on the theme of the International Youth Day, 2022, titled: ‘Inter-Generational Solidarity Creating A World For All Ages,’ Chairman of GAI, Comrade Duke Alamboye, said it was quite disturbing, struggling with social services, challenges of insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure and the cry of Nigerians.

While declaring the support of 60 youths group for Atiku, Alamboye said: “Anyone in victimised shoes would be dampened by the vociferous suggestion. What we need is to unite and maintain solidarity. The advocates of Nigerian problems posit religion, ethnicity, and the issue of restructuring the Nigerian federal system as the bane of our problem but the real problem lies with not maintaining a strong and progressive bond between generations in the midst of these differences.”