APC, PDP Take Campaigns To NLC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday took advantage of the national delegates conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to woo Nigerian workers ahead of the general election.

Both parties also disagreed on issues ranging from insecurity to unemployment and power.

While the APC accused the PDP of not doing enough to tackle insurgency and provide employment, the PDP boasted that it is doing well in the fight against terrorism.

Speaking at the conference, APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari prayed that workers will give him the opportunity to play a part in bringing about this change that the APC so strongly desires for Nigeria.

He said his desire to bring about change has earned him the wrath and vengeance of crooks and thieves.

He said, “Most of you know I am not a novice when it comes to participating in the struggle to deliver Nigeria from the power of darkness. Many times, my efforts have earned me the wrath and vengeance of crooks and thieves. What I want to assure everyone in this room and across the length and breadth of this vast country is that I will do my best for you.

“Once again, Nigeria is in crisis. Our country is facing grievous challenges in numerous sectors. In the light of recent events, the three most pertinent at this time are security, the state of the economy and corruption forming a terrible troika that must be tackled all at once before we can achieve any meaningful progress.”

Speaking on insecurity, Buhari said Boko Haram has metamorphosed under the Jonathan government due to corruption and incompetence.

He noted that since the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Abuja in August 2011, “Boko Haram has gained international notoriety and become a major national menace – kidnapping girls from their schools and women from their homes; slaughtering boys in their dormitories and men in their farms; exploding bombs in public and private venues; and taking town after town in the Northeast of Nigeria. And, for some reason, our defence forces are unable to cope and unable to defend, despite the federal government’s defence budget that has gulped over $32.88billion in the past five years.

On the economy, Buhari said the devaluation of the naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reduced the amount of goods the ordinary Nigerian can purchase with the money he or she has.

He said, “We are likely to experience a rise in the prices of all goods, especially fuel, bread and foodstuff. The hard times ahead will affect Nigerians in every part of our country, 67 per cent of whom already live on less than N200 per day.

“Other challenges facing Nigerians today include youth unemployment, lack of social services, corruption and poor governance.”

He stated that Nigeria needs a group of people who knows what to do about these problems. They must have the competence, the experience, the know-how, the leadership capacity and most especially, the courage to move Nigeria forward.

He said, “APC is that group. An APC government at the centre will treat Labour as a partner in moving the nation forward.

“Our plan to restore good governance, efficient and effective public sector stands to benefit the country’s labour force perhaps more than any other subgroup.

“In line with our party’s manifesto, we will identify and promote growth of industries and give incentives for the use of local content. We will promote new skills, equip youths for a modern economy through a network of local technology institutions to provide free training in courses for the unemployed.

“I pray that you will support me in this quest. I hope that you will give me a chance. Together, you and I can start to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous Nigeria of our dreams.”

But also speaking, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Ayim Pius Ayim disagreed with the claims of the APC presidential candidate.

According to Anyim, the federal government under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has created jobs and improved power generation.

The SGF further assured workers that the government will continue to provide enabling working environment.

Anyim further claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan’s led federal government has created millions jobs for Nigerians saying that thousands of Nigerians from the six geo-political zones have been empowered through SURE-P and YOUWIN programmes.

In his own comment during the occasion, the minster of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki (SAN) told the NLC delegate conference that Jonathan is workers-friendly, adding that the president have put in place dynamic measures to promote the welfare of the workers.

SOURCE