ANN presidential candidate unfolds agenda

THE Presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria Party (ANN) in next month’s election, Mr. Fela Durotoye, has promised to deliver on his promises. Durotoye, who gave the promise at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, recently urged Nigerians to come out en mass to vote for the party.

He said 2019 is not just another year in the nation’s history, but a very special year for the country and its people. He said: “One that will be told over many years to come to future generations yet unborn; as it will be a year that will be filled with pleasant surprises for everyone.

“I believe that this year is going to be a new beginning for our nation and even though we gained independence in 1960, we now have a unique opportunity to gain our freedom through our choices in the upcoming elections. By freedom, I mean our freedom from the shackles of the cabals and a few people who have held us bound soon after independence. Freedom from deprivation, poverty, hunger, preventable diseases and all other forms of hardship brought upon us by those who have ruled us and held us captive for so long.’’

The ANN candidate said the journey to a new Nigeria would be filled with hope, joy and celebrations. He said Nigerians would vote for their freedom and for a party that is committed to their freedom, happiness and prosperity in the coming general elections. He added: “This is why I am convinced that you and millions of people just like you and I, people who are unhappy and tired of living in a country where life is just so hard and nothing seems to be working; people who believe that we are blessed enough to be a better country than we are today. All of us will come out and vote for the ANN, the party with the logo of a lion in the elections.”

Durotoye was excited about the possibilities of a new Nigeria where there will be jobs and opportunities for all to prosper and enjoy good success. He said: “A new Nigeria with opportunities for all to pursue their happiness as they achieve great goals and lofty dreams. A new Nigeria where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody because it is a Nigeria where things work for everyone … a Nigeria where everyone is able to find fulfilling work as they make things work … A nation where every citizen lives in peace and harmony in a society protected by friendly, well-trained and equipped policemen who are respectful and respectable and who inspire a sense of safety and security in everyone.”

The ANN standard bearer listed the principles of the party as transparency, integrity and excellence. He added that the ANN, if elected, would be committed to reducing the cost of governance, “by eliminating wastage and eradicating the culture of corruption, reorienting the people with  values, merit-driven government that provides equal opportunities for all, as well as a business-friendly government committed to helping everyone with a business idea to build profitable enterprises that will grow sustainably as the government educates, empowers and equips every willing and able Nigerian with the skill set, the tool set and the mindset to be their best and to do their best in all that they do, particularly the things that they are naturally good at”.

Durotoye said: “An ANN government that is committed to restructuring our country through constitutional amendments to our governing powers at the federal, state and local government levels. We will ensure the proper resource control and revenue allocation required to maximise the economic value of all our resources all across our land. Our revenue allocation formula would be 20 per cent to communities, 20 per cent to state and 40 per cent to Federal Government.’’

He said Nigeria is too blessed to be a poor country. He added: “In fact, we are blessed enough to become one of the greatest nations on earth. With abundant mineral, natural and human resources, Nigeria can be one of the most desirable nations to live in.

“The time has come for our generation to wrestle our nation from the clutches of the few cabal … the same old rulers who have used different platforms of the military institutions and have stood on different political parties without any ideology in our democratic dispensation … yet, in their quest to grab and hold unto power, year after year, election after election, the same people in different administrations have robbed us all of our commonwealth and turned a nation of blessed people into some of the poorest people on the planet earth.

“But, don’t despair… have hope… because a New Nigeria is coming… with a young, vibrant and competent team of leaders committed to putting Nigeria first, Nigerians next and themselves last.”