by James Sambo

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), says APC would provide the necessary military equipment and personnel to end insurgency in the country, while also promising to cater for women and youths in the country.

In two separate statements, through APC and APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, APCPCO, Buhari promised Nigerians a better secured and more vibrant nation if he is voted as president in the presidential election of February 14.

Buhari expressed his condolence to the families of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in the line of duty, saying: “May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace. An APC government will provide the necessary military equipment and personnel to prosecute the battle effectively and efficiently as soon as we are voted into power in the forthcoming elections.”

The statement said: “APC as a party also recognises the sufferings of the pensioners whose pension arrears and gratuity have remained a serious problem. This will be corrected by the APC government. I urge you all in the Armed Forces to remain apolitical and focus on the ethos of discipline which is the hallmark of your profession. I wish to assure you of my unalloyed commitment to returning the Armed Forces to its place of pride among comity of nations.”

“I am aware of the neglect of the military over the years and assure you that everything will be done within available resources to train and equip the military to the level comparable with other developed armies of the world in the shortest possible time.”

“The Nigerian military had accomplished a lot of feats in building and ensuring global security and peace in conjunction with the armed forces of other great nations of the world as was experienced in the Congo, Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Lebanon and other areas (since the Armed Forces were established) Therefore, I call on all Nigerians to join us in the APC in our quest to making Nigeria a better place for all.”

Another statement which was signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, and released via the APCPCO’s Directorate of Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation, said: “APC’s manifesto contains several innovations and legislative proposals that will promote the manpower development and social participation of women and youths in the country.”

The statement said: “Drawing extensively from the information contained in the APC’s manifesto, a federal government under the leadership of Buhari promises to offer women and youths in Nigeria a new deal.”

“We are firmly committed to the value that women are the backbone of the Nigerian society, especially in our rural communities. Therefore, issues that matter to the average Nigerian woman cut across the spectrum of policy areas, such as agriculture – where they predominate as farmers and farm labourers – to health and education, where their concern for their children are paramount.”

“Our policy position for women takes into cognisance the fact that in spite of several rights outlined in the 1999 Constitution, many women do not enjoy the same freedoms as men, particularly in the fields of education, economic empowerment and political participation.”

“No society can progress where half of its population suffers systemic discrimination. An APC government will seek to end all forms of gender discrimination in both public and private sectors, in education, employment and housing and also protect equal property and inheritance rights.”

According to the statement, the core policy objectives of the APC for women and youths includes: “improving anti-discriminatory legislation and instituting merit-based action in employment; injecting gender as a component of federal character and appointing a Minister for Women and Gender in the Office of the President.”

Isime Esene