Atiku Abubakar Storms the South East, Bags Endorsement from Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
The
presidential flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate; Mr. Peter Obi, have taken their
campaign to the South-Eastern town of Aba. The city of Aba which for
ages has been recognized as the SME capital of Africa, played host to
Atiku and his candidacy, as he reeled out plans to get Nigeria working
again. Atiku has been known across Nigeria as an entrepreneur, even
before he was known as a politician. This meeting offered him the
opportunity to interact with the attendees on the pressing issues in the
field of manufacturing, seeing that he plans to throw all his weight on
Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, by making substantial loans
available at minimal interest rates.
The Nigeria manufacturers
have long suffered a heavy backlash of the inadequacy of the Buhari-led
FG policies on manufacturing. Seeing how the exchange rate has
fluctuated over time from 155 Naira in 2013 to 365 in 2018, the
manufacturers have become even poorer as a result. Some of the concerns
included unavailability of sustainable loans for manufacturing. The
manufacturers lamented government support for the SMEs.
Earlier
this year, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar released his campaign manifesto titled
Getting Nigeria Working Again. Indeed, he believes that Nigeria worked
for him and in his policy document, he ensures to state how he will
achieve a sustained increase in manufacturing output by 2025. In fact,
he is sure that the manufacturing sector contribution to GDP will
increase from 9% to 30%, after the large-scale loans his administration
will make available to SMEs at a sustainable cost. Atiku is interested
in the diversification of the production sector with Nigeria being able
to do most of its processing itself.
Concerning the African
Trade Agreement (AFCTA), Alhaji Abubakar was in vehement support of the
deal, citing how Nigerian goods reach as far as Sudan, and how the deal
will create even more opportunities for Nigerian traders and
manufacturers. In his words “I am sure I will not sign off on something
that will not favor Nigerians.”
Mr. Peter Obi, the VP aspirant on
the platform of the PDP was clear on the objectives of the PDP to get
Nigeria working again, seeing that the party gave its candidacy to two
traders, two manufacturers and two leaders. Other attendees, like the
PDP Chairman; Prince Uche Secondus, Governor of Abia State; Okezie
Ikpeazu and Chairman of MAN, spoke of how they see the light in Atiku
Abubakar. As a result, the body endorsed the presidency of Atiku
Abubakar, holding him accountable to his words and plans. The highlight
of the meeting was how the manufacturers opened up emotionally to the
aspirants, knowing that they understand the pains of traders, business
people, and manufacturers since they themselves are manufacturers
creating more than 50,000 jobs for Nigerians.
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