Politics

Nigeria’s Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, finally releases manifesto, promises ‘industrial revolution’

Published

2 years ago

December 4, 2022

Nigeria’s outlier presidential candidate, Peter Obi has finally released his “pact with Nigeria” as the manifesto of the Labour Party (LP).

Mr. Obi wants to reform its system of costly subsidies and unify the local naira currency’s multiple exchange rates if elected in February, his manifesto released on Sunday showed.

Obi said he would “demand the transparent liberalization of the foreign exchange market” if elected on February 25.

He promised to dismantle a multiple-rate naira regime that “effectively subsidises a few privileged persons, whilst depriving the government of badly needed revenues,” his manifesto said, adding that “unaffordable subsidies” would also be recalibrated for the benefit of poorer citizens.

See major highlights of the manifesto below:

To secure Nigeria, end banditry and insurgency, 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-centered 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 the 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 youths 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 advances the economic interests of Nigerians and Nigerian businesses in a changing world.

Nigeria is due for another general election in 2023 when President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been in office since 2015 will be completing his second term of four years.

The 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria are expected to be a close contest between Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Atiku Abubakar of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and dark-horse Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Related Topics:Featured Nigeria Peter Obi

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Politics

Mozambique’s top court affirms governing party’s victory in recent election

Published

3 days ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Mozambique affirmed Monday that the incumbent Frelimo party won the October election, sparking widespread demonstrations from opposition parties who claim the vote was manipulated.

Fears of fresh bloodshed have been raised in the nation already shaken by weeks of fatal protests after Mozambique’s top electoral court mostly confirmed the results of the country’s contentious October elections, reinforcing the Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power.

The final decision on the election process rests with the Constitutional Council. Mozambique, a nation of over 35 million people in Southern Africa that Frelimo has ruled since 1975, is expected to see more protests in response to its judgement.

Mozambique operates a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic in a multi-party system. The president of Mozambique serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

The government exercises executive power. The administration and the Assembly of the Republic have the authority to enact laws.

Politics

Alliance of Sahel States opposes ECOWAS disengagement schedule

Published

3 days ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) withdrawal timeline has been rejected by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The AES claims that the ECOWAS is attempting to destabilise their newly formed organisation.

During a meeting last week in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional organisation announced a six-month withdrawal period to give the three nations time to change their minds after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.

However, this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilising actions against the AES,” according to the heads of state of the AES.

“This unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries,” the statement continues. Before the conference, they stated that their choice to leave the organisation was “irreversible.”

According to the president of the Ecowas Commission, this will be a “transition period” that ends on “July 29, 2025” to “keep the doors of Ecowas open.”

The three nations accused the bloc of neglecting to assist them in resolving their domestic security challenges and of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions related to the coup.

The three nations that were involved in the coup have mostly rejected ECOWAS’ attempts to undo their withdrawal. They are creating their alliance and have begun thinking about how to issue travel passports independently of ECOWAS.

It is anticipated that they will finish giving their one-year notice of departure in January.

Visa-free travel to other ECOWAS members is a significant perk of membership, and it is unclear how this would alter after the three nations exit the group.