Atiku Vows To Recruit 1m Security Personnel If Elected President

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, has promised to recruit more than half a million policemen and an equal number of other security personnel for the armed forces if elected President.

According to Atiku, this drive, in addition to the provision of equipment and training to the police and armed forces, will not only to provide more boots on the ground to arrest insecurity in parts of the country, but also to assist in creating more jobs that would stimulate economic growth.

The former Vice President told members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at an interactive session in Lagos on Wednesday, that these were part of his five-point agenda if he is elected as President next year.

According to him, the second agenda of his administration would focus on resuscitating the moribund economy of the nation.

“Basically, I intend to continue with the economic policies we ran from 1999-2007,” he said, stressing that this would entail liberalization of the economy through the promotion of the private sector.

He explained that, in this regard, building of ports, highways and railways are capital intensive projects “which government does not have the humongous resources to execute.”

“I would rather give tax breaks to the private sector to carry on with these works,” Atiku said.

On unification of the country, the candidate said he would replicate what the Obasanjo administration, in which he was the second in command, did.

“The PDP will form a government of national unity again…and move on from there,” he assured, pointing out that the mistake of lopsided appointments by the incumbent administration won’t happen under his watch.

“I won’t do that. I will give each zone representation,” he assured.