Nigeria's Presidential Candidates Pledge to Build a New Nation in Campaign Rallies

Strategic Insights -

As Nigeria prepares for its upcoming presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan and his main opponent, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, are engaging in a heated campaign, promising to build a new and better future for the country. The president visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to canvass support, while Buhari hit Ado-Ekiti, in Ekiti State, with a promise of a better future for Nigerians.

President Jonathan pledged to end the Boko Haram insurgency and rebuild all destroyed towns and villages, allowing displaced residents to return and continue their socio-economic and farming activities. He also assured that all affected people of Borno State would be assisted to go back to their businesses, farming, and herding activities that provide more than 60 percent employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, Buhari promised to build a new Nigeria that will be free of corruption, where the sanctity of lives and property would be protected. He blamed the ruling party for the insecurity and high level of unemployment among the youths and promised to make agriculture attractive to the youths.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Jonathan promised to rebuild all destroyed towns and villages in Borno State, including Baga, Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza, Banki, Konduga, Mafa, Marte, Damboa, Chibok, and Gambouru, and to rehabilitate primary and secondary schools in the affected communities.
  • He also assured that all affected people of Borno State would be assisted to go back to their businesses, farming, and herding activities that provide more than 60 percent employment opportunities.
  • Buhari pledged to build a new Nigeria that will be free of corruption, where the sanctity of lives and property would be protected.
  • He blamed the ruling party for the insecurity and high level of unemployment among the youths and promised to make agriculture attractive to the youths.
  • Tinubu, the National leader of the APC, accused the President Jonathan-led Government of being bereft of ideas to develop the nation after PDP had ruled the nation for 16 years, branding Buhari/Osinbajo as a revolutionary ticket.
  • The APC also pleaded with Ekiti people not to allow the "mystery of June 21, last year" when the party lost governorship election to the PDP to repeat itself in the coming elections.

Statistics:

  • Over 60 percent of employment opportunities in Borno State come from farming and herding activities.
  • The Borno Empire and its people do not kill others as the Boko Haram sect has been doing since the commencement of insurgency in Borno State in July 2009.
  • President Jonathan spoke for more than two hours while flagging off the PDP Presidential Campaign rally at the Ramat Square, Maiduguri amid tight security.
  • The 12,000 seat capacity pavilion was filled to the brim as early as 10am during Buhari's campaign rally in Ado-Ekiti.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)