APC emphasizes commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stressed its commitment to the socio-economic growth of the country.

APC’s caretaker secretary, John Akpanudoedehe, stated this while felicitating with President Muhammadu Buhari, the people of Nigeria and the APC family on the occasion of the 2021 Democracy Day.

“Nigerians can recall that it was the President Buhari-led APC administration that declared June 12 as Democracy Day in our unwavering commitment to democracy as contained in the APC mission statement and vision.”

"As Nigerians mark the 2021 Democracy Day, it is important to note that Africa’s most populous country remains the largest economy on the continent under the leadership of President Buhari, with a GDP of $514 billion as published in the latest World Bank report,” he said.

This, he noted, was in spite of lower oil production caused by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.
Akpanudoedehe added: “The proactive and successful implementation of the N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) has not only stimulated the economy and prevented business collapse amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, it has also created jobs through support to labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, public works and extending credit to Small and Medium-scale Enterprises.

“The proactive measures paved way for Nigeria’s quick exit from recession. The economy has returned to steady growth due to prudent economic management despite the lean resources available to the government.

“We join all Nigerians and true democrats in expressing gratitude to President Buhari for his display of political will in the posthumous honour to Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election who paid the ultimate price in the struggle to actualise his unjustifiably annulled mandate.
“The APC leadership and millions of our members and supporters will continue to recognise and appreciate the sacrifice made by many Nigerians in the enthronement of democracy in our nation which contributed to the decision to officially recognise June 12 as our Democracy Day.

“In the six years of the Buhari administration, Nigeria has witnessed an unprecedented renewal of vital infrastructure designed to support the continuous expansion of the Nigerian economy, facilitate domestic trade, enhance social interactions and promote ease of doing business.

“The APC notes that no government in the country’s history has systematically taken steps to create jobs and alleviate poverty like the President Buhari-led administration. Alongside the various components of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs) like the N-Power with an approved intake of 1, 000, 000 and the Homegrown School Feeding Programme, 774, 000 young Nigerians have been gainfully employed under the Special Public Works (SPW) programme targeted at poor and low-skilled youths. This is one of the largest ever job-creation initiatives in Nigeria’s history, courtesy of the President Buhari-led government.”

“The security challenges faced by the country for over a decade is being successfully brought under control. The insurgency in the North East has virtually been put down, with the security forces conducting clearance operations. Kidnapping, banditry, clashes between farmers and animal rearers and the emergent agitations by separatists in the South East and South West, are being contained. The destruction of public facilities including the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), several Police stations and correctional centres have been curtailed. Many of the criminals engaged in the subversive activities have been neutralised, apprehended and will face the full weight of the law.

“Under the APC administration, our armed forces are now better equipped with new advanced platforms, which have enhanced their capability to fight terrorists, insurgents and other criminals. They are taking the battle to their hideouts. Currently, no inch of Nigeria’s territory is under the control of Boko Haram; as the hideouts of bandits, kidnappers and other criminals are being cleared with the miscreants suffering heavy casualties on a daily basis.

“We urge stakeholders and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians to avoid politicising or being simplistic about the security situation. Our duty to the nation as good citizens should outweigh political party affiliations. This is not the time to play to the gallery over the sensitive matter of national security,” he concluded.