The New Initiative for Credible Leadership (TICP) has dismissed the policy documents released by PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Ababakar, describing it as “a conglomerate of half-truths and empty promises”
In a statement signed by its coordinator, Rev Steven Onwu, the group said the document is devoid of traces of honesty both in its choice of language and the composition of the sentences.
He said the policy document of the PDP Presidential aspirant does not meet up with set yardstick on leadership that would translate the hopes and aspirations into tangible realities.
Onwu therefore urged Nigerians to view the policy document carefully and ask critical questions, saying if the electorates accept such a document, it might spell doom for the entire country and the progress it has recorded in the past three years.
He said for instance, the policy document also stated the intent to “sell all four national refineries, and cut corporate income tax to be one of the lowest in Africa, buy the document was also silent on the alternatives when the refineries are sold, It was also silent on how the process of the sale of the refineries.
He said the New Initiative for Credible Leadership is also alarmed that in all the issues raised, not a single mention was harped on how to strengthen the institutional framework to reduce waste and corruption in the system.
He said, “While we assume this is deliberate, it smacks a mockery of the entirety of the document.
“after a careful analysis by our team of policy experts drawn from our various affiliates in Sub-Saharan Africa, it was unanimously agreed that the policy document lacks any meaningful development template. At best, it is a conjecture of sentences and paragraphs, but with good design and layout.
“The first observation in the said policy document is the reference to 2025 as its date of actualization of its set out objectives. While it is curious to state that the Nigerian Constitution provides for a four-year tenure for elected officials, (2019-2023) the insistence on 2025 is an indication that the said document a mirage and one not in tune with reality.”
He said further, “The PDP Presidential Candidate also contradicted himself when he promised amongst other things to crash the price of petroleum products to between N87-N97.
“While this negates the deregulation of the downstream oil sector that he promised in his policy documents, it also raised a red flag on how the government under Atiku Abubakar would be able to dictate or set a template for petroleum prices when such is usually dictates by demand and supply as standard in a free market setting.
“On the critical security sector, it was observed that the only meaningful sentence was the decentralization of our security agencies. While this might sound absurd, it raises vital questions bordering on implementation templates.
“it also refuses to address how the government would ensure the security of lives and properties of all Nigerians regardless of their status. Instead, it went on a wild goose chase.”