Anxiety in Southeast over Atiku’s six-year plan

* Leaders demand firm commitment on single term

As the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, prepares to kick off his 2019
campaigns, the six-year plan in his manifesto has continued to
create anxiety, especially among Southeast leaders,The Nation
Reports.

The nation gathered exclusively yesterday that although he is
set to kick-start his presidential campaign with a zonal rally in
Lagos on November 28, he was yet to make a commitment to the
leaders of the party, especially to the Southeast caucus, on
whether or not he will spend one term in office.

The Southeast wants power shift to the geopolitical zone in 2023
and is seeking a firm commitment on this desire.

The issue of tenure was said to be central to the backing of the
Southeast for PDP because the zone is after power shift in
2023.

A member of the National Executive Committee of PDP said: “Atiku
has not been forthcoming on whether he will spend a term in office
or two terms. We are trying to read his lips but no commitment
yet.

“Instead, we read of his six-year plan which pointed to a second
term. If he spends two terms in office, it will give the North an
edge of 16 years in power and it might foreclose the chances of the
Igbo. This is why some PDP governors and leaders from the Southeast
are being sceptical of Atiku Project.”

But one of the strategists of Atiku, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, has said
that there was “nothing in The Atiku Plan to suggest a hidden
agenda of two terms in office for Atiku Abubakar.

He said: “The document is a product of 18 months of well
researched and widely consulted hard work on how to move Nigeria
forward and to speed up the pace of development across all the
critical sectors of the economy.

“The reason the policy document was authored to cover up to 2025
and beyond was simply meant to address the volatility and
unpredictability of global trade and economics, as most progressive
leaders who understand the intricate nature of growing their
economies, draw up 10 year strategic vision plans for their
nations, even when they well understand that their term in office
will not extend to such a period.

“Government is a continuum and as such a sound and effective
development plan can serve several leaders who are desirous of
enhancing the welfare and wellbeing of their citizens.

The campaign strategist cited three examples from Nigeria’s
recent past where the current administration continued to implement
some major projects and policies of the immediate past PDP
administration.

He listed the projects to include Railway projects, the
implementation of the TSA and BVN financial policy, by the Buhari
administration, which were actually inherited by the sound
development plan of the President Goodluck Jonathan era.

“Sadly, the mudslinging intentions and diabolic attempts to
divert the campaign away from the real issues that continue to
bedevil the country, has been given a new twist by the purveyors of
negative propaganda.

“These persons have simply overlooked the salient points
contained in the “My plan to get Nigeria working again” document to
invoke ethnic and divisive sentiments by insinuating that the
document has exposed a hidden agenda of a second term plan by
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and by so doing are directly provoking the
South- East or even south west into erroneously believing that they
have no stake in 2023″

“With all these, it is obvious that “My Plan to get Nigeria
working Again”, is indeed a comprehensive work plan that has been
structured to outlive Atiku’s stay in office, even if it was to
become a two-term presidency.

“The mention of 2025 and 2030 as delivery dates for some of the
critical components of the plan is a clear demonstration that
Atiku’s vision reflects the sincerity of his intentions to achieve
a better more progressive Nigeria and the generosity of the mind of
a good leader who thinks ahead in a selfless manner for common
good.

“Indeed, working with a man like Peter Obi, who incidentally is
from the South East and whose sterling track record as a financial
guru and economic master-strategist, speak volumes for the
expansive nationalistic vision of Atiku Abubakar.”

On Atiku’s plan to defeat Buhari in the Southwest, it was learnt
that the weak structure of PDP in the Southwest is of concern to
the candidate and the PDP.

Also, ahead of the commencement of his campaign, pressure for
posts has delayed the announcement of the full members of the
Presidential Campaign Council of the party.

The list of PCC was still being tinkered with at the last
minutes to “accommodate different interests”.

Checks have however confirmed that Atiku is set for campaign
with a hectic programme.

According to a copy of the campaign schedule of Atiku, which was
exclusively obtained by our correspondent, Atiku will hold zonal
rallies as follows: Lagos (November 28 for Southwest); Kano
(December 1 for Northwest) ; Enugu (December 5 for Southeast);
Ilorin (December 8 for Northcentral); Port Harcourt (December
12-South-south) and Bauchi (December 15 for Northeast).

Atiku is expected to start a marathon state campaign shuttle
from Sokoto on December 18.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The choice of
Southwest, especially Lagos, is to underscore the determination of
PDP to win the zone in 2019. With the Southeast and South-south in
our kitty, the main target is the Southwest.

“The Southwest has a huge and sophisticated voting strength, it
remains a major target of our campaign. With ex-President Olusegun
Obasanjo’s backing, PDP will go all out to change the narrative in
this zone.

“We have a big plan to win the Southwest if it means going from
door to door.”

It was however learnt that the weak structure of the party in
the Southwest has been a major headache for PDP.

A party leader said: “Our party is not too strong in the
Southwest like when Obasanjo was in power. This is giving us a bit
of concern. But since we will tackle APC on issues, there might be
empathy for PDP.

“The people of the Southwest cannot be led by the nose. We want
to capitalize on their discerning minds to capture the zone.”

Investigation also revealed that Atiku is yet to release the
list of members of the Presidential Campaign Council due to
pressure to tinker with it and accommodate some party leaders.

A PDP stalwart said: “Atiku is always reworking the list in
order to make it representational.

“There is always pressure to accommodate vested interests. But
in the next few days, Atiku will roll out the names of PCC
members.”

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