On APC manifesto

ON December 24, 2014, I was invited to Oriental Hotel, Lagos as part of a number of young leaders of thought to come and have audience with the then vice paspirant, Yemi Osinbajo. On that day, we were given the APC manifesto, which I went through and laughed heartily because I realised that the promises could never be fulfilled even in the next 20 years except a miraculous revolution occured.  After I was handed the manifesto, I went through it and underlined several of those phantom promises which I knew will never be fulfilled. I will just list them here and probably just make a few additions later. The APC promised the following: “Within the first year of your administration, employ 740,000 (20,000 per state + FCT) young graduates in immediate employment and empowerment scheme.” This promise was never fulfilled and this is already the third year and no signs of this ever happening.

ALSO READ: VOICE OF COURAGE Selected speeches of Obafemi Awolowo (Vol 2)

“After NYSC, we will pay graduates stipends for one year under a vocational scheme where they build entrepreneurial and work-readiness capacity.” NYSC alumni, how market? “Create an additional middle class of at least 4 million new homeowners.” Please when and where is the next landlord meeting holding? I have to attend. “Provide free meals in school to drastically reduce the number of out of school children. Osun State provides free lunches and got its enrolment to 80 per cent.” This was APC using Governor Rauf Aregbesola as an example. “Targeting up to 20% of our annual budget for education.” By my last check, only 7 per cent of the 2018 budget was allocated for education. “Ban Medical Trips for government .” Yes, you read right: Buhari promised to ban medical trips abroad for government officials. “Tuition reimbursement for health workers willing to relocate to rural areas.”  I know many of my friends in the medical field who would dive at this offer if ever it is made, but what do I know?

“In different phases over 4 years, APC will make monthly direct cash transfer of N5,000 to the 25 million poorest citizens, if they  immunize their children and enroll them in school.” Dear Mr. President, I strongly believe I am among the 25 million poorest Nigerians and my children are immunised and in school, where can I join the queue to collect my N5k? “Generate, transmit and distribute electricity on a 24 hour basis … by 2019.” I will borrow the words of Mr President himself when he was talking about his friend, Olusegun Obasanjo: “Where is the power?”

“Will guarantee the independence of EFCC and ICPC.” The same EFCC whose chairman was spotted wearing a Buhari re-election badge during a recent interview with Channels TV? In summary, a good look at the APC manifesto shows that the Presidency has failed woefully as regards fulfillment of its promises to Nigerians.  Asides the aforementioned, it is pertinent to note that there have been incessant killing of innocent villagers by herdsmen (Fulani or not), people are being killed and nothing is being done about it! Benue, Taraba, Plateau, name it! Just before the election, I used to have discussions with my friends and they were all of the opinion that you were the savior Nigeria badly needed. I used to laugh and tell them you will do exactly what you have been doing and are still doing.  I would like to go on, but the point is clear, the government proved no point to me, except that which I already knew before it won the 2015 election: it has no business ruling  Nigeria.

• Adiele is a media and digital marketing specialist.