President Muhammadu Buhari has been praised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for presenting the country with a new National Development Plan.
Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, spoke to State House Correspondents on behalf of his colleagues shortly after the document’s launch on Wednesday, saying the Development Plan 2021-2025 is all-inclusive and will help the country build on previous gains.
“First and foremost, let me state that I am here to represent the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, who was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.” We also congratulate the President on launching the 2021-2025 Development Plan, which the Minister of National Planning expertly introduced.
“We had an economic recovery growth plan that expired last year, which had the goal of, among other things, assisting Nigeria in exiting recession twice.” And now we have a plan in place for the years 2021-2025 that is primarily focused on ensuring that the gains have been sustained and that Nigerians continue to be included.
“This government, more than any other, has taken deliberate, active steps to include all economic groups and support them more than ever before in order for them to achieve their economic goals, for the country’s economy to continue to provide for all, and for us to see more prosperity.” And we congratulate you, and I’m sure everyone in the 36 states and the FCT is overjoyed,” he said.
All of the states were properly consulted at all stages of the plan’s development, according to the Governor.
“Some of us who are members of various committees have consulted with us.” It’s a consultative program, and we applaud both the President and Vice President for ensuring that the National Economic Council, which is the Federation’s major economic decision-making body, is inclusive and not a monologue, and that states are given pride of place,” Bagudu added.
The Governor, in response to a recent attack in his state, advised Nigerians to exercise caution when it comes to security concerns.
“I believe Nigerians must be contextual when it comes to security issues. We are all members of the human race, and as long as the problem isn’t solved, you can’t get away from it.
“Many gains have been made, but there will always be that isolated or sporadic issue somewhere,” he said. “What is important is for us to strengthen each other, strengthen our communities, support our communities, support our security agencies, and support measures that will ensure that we will dominate rather than those who do not wish us well.”
The Governor was adamant that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), would win the election in 2023.
“First, let us understand that the difference between democracy and possibly other forms of government is that there will be differences of opinion, with the hope that such differences will occasionally bring out the best or move society forward,” he said.
“We’ve always been a party that understands there will never be a single voice.” And we’re not hoping for a unified front. We hope that people will be able to express themselves and bring different ideas to the table, even if those ideas conflict, and that the democratic systems will be able to iron them out.
“I believe it is a stretch to suggest that because there is dissent or differences of opinion, it will affect our party’s share of the vote. We are a party that understands that in order to keep delivering, we must debate, compete, and bring new ideas to government. But keep in mind that, under the current caretaker committee Chairman, Mai-Mala Buni, three serving Governors, one serving Deputy Governor, a number of serving Senators, and members of the National Assembly former this, former that have all joined the party in the last two years. And that is the best evidence that, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership, this party is continuing to keep the promises that Nigerians have placed in us.”
