By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on Thursday, responded to critics who have been wondering and asking the achievements of the party since the past two and half years of its assumption of office.
He informed that the major achievement of the party is manifested on President Buhari’s provided exemplary leadership for the country and demonstration of the political will and solid commitment to the task of building a new Nigeria in line with the Change Agenda promised to the electorate.
Oyegun used the occasion of the public presentation of the mid-term scorecard on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, titled: “Making Steady, Sustainable Progress for Nigeria’s Peace and Prosperity” to list the achievements of the party.
According to him, the administration’s achievements largely hinged on the party’s election promises of fighting corruption, revamping the economy and providing security and listed the All Progressives Congress’ achievements under these subheads.
Oyegun said that with the government’s Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP), otherwise referred to as Green Alternative Policy, the nation’s economy is being transformed from being oil dependent to an agro-focused economy. Adding that the development of the 2017-2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which is a three year plan has laid the foundation for economic diversification, inclusive and sustainable growth and ultimately welfare for the citizens.
He further informed that the Nigerian rice sector for example has been revolutionised with several brands competing for consumer’s attention. These brands he said, include Lake Chad rice, Ebonyi rice, Aba rice, Anambra rice, Kebbi rice, among several others.
The national Chairman said that the problems of unemployment, poverty and inequality are being addressed through the safety nets such as the federal government’s Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and N-Power. Saying that these are achievements that we should all take immense pride in.
Oyegun also said that war against graft is being won and the whistle-blowing programme has encouraged citizens to report to relevant authorities, information about corrupt practices. “The over-subscription of our Eurobonds for 4 consecutive times and our improved rating on ease of doing business ranking are key pointers to the increasing trust and confidence that investors and the international community generally have about our country and especially our government’s determination to fight corruption.
He informed that as at the time this administration came on board, Boko Haram was still in control of a large swathe of Nigerian territory, but today through the activities of Operation Lafiya Dole, Boko Haram has been decimated and degraded and significant number of our girls that were held in captivity had been released and rehabilitated.
He maintained that the most significant achievement of this administration in regard to the Boko Haram ravaged North East is the establishment of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), whose bill was recently signed into law by Mr. President.
While noting that the establishment of the North East Development Commission is in fulfilment of one of the major campaign promises to ensure reconstruction of the North East, he reminded that the Commission will speed up rehabilitation, reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in the insurgency-ravaged North East as well as tackle the menace of poverty and environmental challenges in the area such that internally displaced Persons can return to their normal and productive lives in peace and safety.
Oyegun who recalled that the party is only slightly beyond the halfway mark in its first four years, also informed that manifesto of any political party contains two categories of promises – those that are achievable immediately and within the lifespan of the administration and those that are aspirational.
The national Chairman of the APC said that the mid-term score card of President Muhammadu Buhari serve as a morale booster to all party members, who are now armed with the incontrovertible and verifiable evidence of the enormous achievements of APC government since inauguration in May 2015.
Adding that, fair-minded Nigerians or even APC’s supporters will find in these real achievements something to boast about on social media.
Oyegun also reminded that though publicity costs a lot of money, he urged the party to factor this in as essential component of its project and programme delivery.