Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum PGF, Salihu Lukman, has called for a review of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) manifesto ahead of next year’s general election.
In a statement in Abuja on Sunday, he said recommendations from the convention should guide the party in reviewing it’s manifesto.
He said the manifesto would provide the development roadmap for the transformation of the country.
He said, “As a party preparing for its National Convention in February 2022, we must appeal to APC leaders to include debate about what needs to be done by all APC governments to mobilize the support of Nigerians to bring to an immediate end the current national security challenge in the country.
“Recommendations that emerge from the Convention should guide the process of reviewing the APC manifesto. Unlike other parties, including PDP, APC must continue to set the needed political agenda to drive the process of mobilizing Nigerians for change.
“As a party envisioned to be socially democratic, in addition to the challenge of insecurity facing the country, the issue of massive mobilization of financial investments towards the development of education and health sectors in Nigeria must also be debated at the Convention.
“Having demonstrated political commitment towards infrastructural development in the country, which has led to the revival of rail transportation and reconstruction of road networks in the country, APC must initiate the rebirth of public education and public health in the country through similar massive investment to build new schools and hospitals, rehabilitate old ones, mass recruitment of teachers and provision of teaching materials. These are not issues that can be achieved based on the current budgeting structure in the country at all levels.
“As we say goodbye to 2021, therefore, APC leaders must focus the planning for its February National Convention towards mobilizing the support of Nigerians to contribute in every way necessary, including making personal sacrifices to create the New Nigeria every citizen desires.
“The New Nigeria that citizens desire will be a product of collective responsibility, shared values and sacrifices and therefore guaranteed security and abundant wealth. Success or failure will be practically about how many sacrifices APC leaders are able to convince Nigerians to make.
“Once the debate at APC Convention in February is limited to who emerge as leaders of the party without addressing these fundamental issues, the ability of APC to mobilize Nigerians to build a New Nigeria would have been sacrificed. APC leaders have since 2013 demonstrated the capacity to mobilize Nigerians based on clear political agreements. The February 2022 National Convention shouldn’t be an exception.”
