Former Vice President and presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday appeared before the screening panel of the African Democratic Congress, where he unveiled what he described as a bold recovery blueprint aimed at tackling Nigeria’s deepening economic hardship and worsening insecurity.
Atiku, who submitted his credentials for verification as part of the party’s presidential nomination process, said Nigeria was standing at a critical crossroads and urgently needed experienced and courageous leadership to reverse the current decline.
In a statement issued after the exercise by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said the country could no longer continue on what he described as a dangerous economic path marked by rising unemployment, weak investor confidence, policy inconsistency and mounting hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, millions of households and businesses are struggling under severe economic pressure, while uncertainty over government direction continues to discourage investment and slow economic growth.
Atiku outlined a reform-driven economic agenda centred on massive job creation, expansion of private sector participation, fiscal discipline, macroeconomic stability and policies designed to restore Nigeria’s attractiveness to both local and foreign investors.
Speaking on insecurity, the former Vice President expressed concern over persistent killings, kidnappings and violent attacks across different parts of the country, insisting that the situation reflected a nation under serious strain.
He proposed a security framework anchored on intelligence-driven operations, stronger collaboration among security agencies, decentralisation of the security architecture and decisive action against criminal networks terrorising communities.
“At this defining moment in our national life, Nigeria does not need experiments. It needs tested leadership, clarity of vision, and the courage to make difficult but necessary decisions in the national interest,” he declared.
Atiku also reaffirmed his commitment to building a secure, united and economically stable Nigeria where citizens can pursue their aspirations without fear.
