The defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) gubernatorial candidate for October 2012 election in Ondo State, Soji Ehinlanwo, at the weekend said the president-elect Muhammadu Buhari, would build a new Nigeria despite several problems and challenges confronting the nation.
Ehinlanwo in a statement made available to journalists in Akure, noted that the huge expectations of Nigerians on several problems bedevilling the country informed the huge endorsement of Buhari across the land.
He said based on the experiences, antecedents, character and strong patriotic disposition, the president-elect seems well set on a historic mission of reshaping the country that will alter dramatically its social, political and economic landscapes.
According to Ehinlanwo, there cannot be much argument over the fact that weak, ineffectual and morally deficient leadership has left the country tottering on many fronts.
The defunct CPC candidate, who mentioned corruption, unemployment, insurgency and other security problems as well as economic problems as some of the challenges confronting the nation, expressed optimism that Buhari was well equipped to deploy available resources and make remarkable differences over his next four year term.
“Buhari has demonstrated sufficiently his disdain for corruption in our national life and has made clear promises about his resolve to shoot down the monster. I have no doubt that Nigerians can hold him to that promise.
“Through a mix of exemplary leadership, a clear and firm indication to all political appointees of a zero tolerance for corruption, giving teeth to existing processes for preventing graft and corruption in our public institutions, strengthening institutional bodies that tackle corruption – indeed confronting the root cause of corruption and putting in place effective consequences and deterrence for corrupt practices, the scourge of corruption will certainly be seriously decapitated within the next four years,” he said.
Ehinlanwo also stated that the president-elect would also fulfill his promise during campaign that he would on assumption of office prioritise the confrontation of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east.
“With a strong military and an antecedent of defeating a similar insurgency group, he has the mettle and will that will certainly put a quick and permanent end to the Boko Haram menace.
“In the same vein, with strong resolve, deftness and decisiveness compatible with his character, he will put in place or strengthen appropriate machineries and institutional frameworks for tackling the other security challenges such as the Niger delta problem, the ugly spate of kidnappings and armed robbery with the overall consequence of a remarkable and much improved security of lives and property across the country,” he said.
The former CPC candidate also expressed optimism that Buhari would assemble a well-qualified and effective team that will help to drive policy initiatives aimed at redressing the structural economic and deep social imbalance that has created and sustained such embarrassing gaps and inequalities in our country.
He said Nigerians should expect sound and effective policy thrusts aimed at a vigorous diversification of the economic base with Agriculture, ICT, Manufacturing and Entertainment becoming important drivers of economic growth.
“Also, it is safe to expect a prudent management of available resources that cuts areas of waste – emphasising accountability and transparency, an energetic pursuit of rapid infrastructure development and poverty alleviation through a re-allocation of priorities, as well as a job creation agenda that is of course at the heart of a new economic blue-print - hopefully reducing the current untenable statistics of youth unemployment.
“A Buhari presidency should radically redefine our economic and social standing in terms of availability of opportunities, infrastructure development, reduction of social inequalities, economic growth and the re-enforcement of those value systems like hard work, honesty, merit that have appeared to be under threat,” Ehinlanwo said.
