Abubakar Atiku, PDP presidential candidate
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said that he would privatise three of Nigeria’s refineries to raise $10 billion to enable him to empower small and medium-scale businesses in the country.
Atiku, who stated this while addressing a campaign rally in Lagos on Monday, listed the refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna for privatisation if elected as president.
He said: “On my own part, if you elect me as your president, I said and I promised by the grace of God that I am going to set aside $10 billion so that we can empower our young men and women in small and medium enterprises.
“People were asking me where I am going to get the money. If I privatise the Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery and Kaduna refinery I will get the money.
“So, let me also promise you if you elect me, we are going to restructure this country; what do we mean by restructuring? We will give states and local governments more powers and resources. It is up to you to hold them responsible”.
Also addressing the rally, the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu said the PDP will “liberate” Lagos and rescue the state from the hands of people “who don’t want progress” for Lagos people and for Nigerians.
Ayu said: “Liberating Lagos is like liberating Nigeria because Lagos is an important part of Nigeria.
‘’Lagos is the biggest city in the country with a population of about 25million people, which is more than most African countries and other countries in the world.
“It is a very rich state, a state that there should be no poverty. In 1993, our leader Chief M.K.O Abiola said farewell to poverty was going to begin in Lagos.
“We have brought you hope, we have brought you a man who is experienced, who knows Lagos, who knows Nigerians, who is leading the crusade to rescue Lagos, end poverty, create jobs and make sure that you are not over tasked. With a president from the PDP, we shall make sure that it will be better for all of us.”
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