On Monday, the former governor of Anambra State advocated a restructuring of the country's security structure in which the federal, state, and local governments would all have policing institutions.
Obi also emphasised the need of institutions being able to provide strong leadership and coordinating capabilities, as well as collaborate with all essential stakeholders in order to mutually reinforce ideals.
"This is the first and most crucial thrust of my governance priorities, without which the rest may not be realised," he stated. To safeguard Nigeria, put a stop to banditry and insurgency, and unite our beautiful country in order to manage our diversity so that no one falls behind.
"The escalating insecurity in Nigeria is not because the opponent is strong; it is rather because of lack of focused leadership, inefficient security governance framework and poor coordination from the central. All of these issues must be handled by first projecting strong leadership signals that allow both state and non-state actors to rally around a common goal.
"Then, by pursuing a robust reform of the security governance structure with a strong coordinating mechanism that ensures that all levels of government - federal, state, and local (with a three-level policing structure) - are aligned with strong collaboration with partners from both the private sector and development groups to provide the required services and deliver results for every Nigerian," he says.
"Once this is completed, it is critical to have a single, clear, coherent, and consistent communication system in place to hold the government accountable and citizens interested and active in the development process."
Obi also bemoaned the Federal Government's massive debt for consumption, which he promised to renegotiate.
"Nigeria has borrowed to consume. Nigeria had a GDP per capita of $2,550 in 2016. We owed nearly N15 trillion. We owe around N75 trillion today, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria's methods and tactics. So we've increased our debt by roughly 400%, but our per capita income is 2,000. That means the money we borrowed was wasted. So that's what I'm going to change.
"We will restructure our debt in its current form. We will restructure it in the long run so that we can pay it. And, as I already stated, no more borrowing for consumption. We will continue to borrow, people will see it, we will be honest, and it will be for investments, as we want.
"Countries have been in this predicament before; we are not in a scenario where other countries have not traversed before. It's a matter of displaying leadership, and we'll figure it out," he continued.
During his speech, the LP presidential candidate announced his economic growth plans, stressing that if elected, his administration will pursue an agricultural revolution across the country, particularly in the north.
Obi also expressed gratitude for the youngsters' trust in him to lead their campaign to alter Nigeria's politics and restart the country's engine of economic growth and social stability.
"We count ourselves honoured to be trusted, especially by the youths, to lead this democratic development and we are deeply pledged to do so with sincerity, accountability and unquenchable love and passion for a better Nigeria. "We are only a symbol of Nigerian youths' effort to stop this horrible trend that continues to drive them into social anaemia, despair, and rejection of their country," he continued.
(Source: punchng.com)
