The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has stated that the war against terrorism currently ongoing in the country would only be won if the government could devise an anti-terror plan that enjoys the support of the people as well as creating job opportunities for the teeming masses.
Atiku, who made this position known in an article entitled “To win the war on terror, we need opportunities, jobs,” which was made available to Sunday Tribune at the weekend, said that terrorism could only thrive where there is local support, noting that once the local support structure is taken away, “the terror architecture will collapse like a pack of cards.”
According to the PDP presidential standard-bearer, who called for a well-thought out anti-terror plan that would have the buy-in of the people, addressing perceived injustice and grievances as well as ensuring equitable distribution of the economy were other central themes in tackling terrorism.
The former vice-president advocated greater access to opportunities for the teeming youths of the country, better arming and motivation of the military, improved investment in education as well as fair redistribution of wealth among Nigerians, among others, noting that these remained the ways to defeat the terror menace in the country.