AGAINST the backdrop of the incessant clashes between farmers and herders across parts of the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has pledged to make alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism a nationwide regulation one for checkmating such crisis.
Alhaji Atiku, who spoke at a capacity filled venue of the grand finale of the PDP’s presidential rally held in in Yola, Adamawa State today, regretted that the state is one of the States with high records of communal, farmer herder’s clash, and extremism regularly responsible for various killings and destruction of properties in various communities.
As a result, he offered that “a new approach is required where there should be coordination and harmonization of federal and State policies to address the security challenges.
“In this regard, the imperative for all stakeholders to divest themselves of ethnic, regional and religious tendencies and focus on means of getting the conflicts resolved as quickly as possible cannot be overemphasized.
“My proposal, therefore, is that a PDP government at the national level will institutionalise alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms that involve traditional rulers and other stakeholders at all levels across the Nation to tackle farmers – herders clashes and communal disputes, “ he said.
Endorsing the state Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri for a second tenure as Governor on account of his stellar performance, the ex-Vice President said a PDP national government will also improve Adamawa State capacity to provide necessities of life and instill international best practices in all departments of governance.
While asserting that PDP will enthrone peace, justice and equity nationally, he promised that he will ensure that solid minerals, which Adamawa state has sizable deposits of, are exploited for the benefit of the people and the and the State, “so that Adamawa will indeed become a rich State and the object of envy of its neighbours.
Reiterating his commitment to creating an environment that will provide employment and fulfilment to youth and women through education, mentorship, vocational training and technology and entrepreneurship initiatives, the candidate said
as part of his youth empowerment program, he, as President, will “ensure that the State Government declares a state of emergency on basic and secondary education to ensure that every Adamawa child has the opportunity to go to school and prosper.”
He thanked the people of the state for braving the hardships thrust on them by the Naira redesign policy and the acute shortage of fuel by the incumbent administration.
He urged them to remain steadfast, patient and law abiding in the face of these challenges.
At the palace of the Lamidon Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, the politician, himself a vizier to the monarch, acknowledged and thanked him for the roles the monarchy has been playing in engendering peace and harmony in the State.
He said, as a stakeholder in the monarchical system, he would explore the possibility of a Constitutional role for the traditional institutions, if elected President.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the PDP presidential campaign organization, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state expressed appreciation to Nigerians, the management of the party and supporters of all shades.
Taking a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC) doe taking Nigerians through a lot of crises and hardships, he also chastised the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, for being undemocratic, ethnic chauvinist and one whose party lacks national spread, Tambuwal said
Atiku is “the one that would deliver Nigeria, that reflects the true character of Nigeria is that of Atiku/Okowa.”
“We present a candidate that is prepared from day one, to reunify and govern Nigeria. Our candidate and our campaign has presented to the Nigerian people our five point agenda, which Atiku Abubakar and Okowa are ready to implement from day one.
“Other candidates have not done so in the way and manner that Atiku Abubakar and Okowa have done their own. Other candidates are not as experienced in any way close to Atiku Abubakar in terms of governance at the federal level.
“We must not make the mistake of voting for APC again. We have seen what we’re going through. Enough is enough. We must not vote for APC again, not to talk of Labour (Party) [LP], (Peter Obi) whose “candidature, by the grace of God, is dead on arrival.
“The only candidate that is prepared for this country is Atiku Abubakar. I, therefore, appeal to the Nigerian people, this being our grand finale, that we shall come out on February 25, and vote for Atiku/ Okowa,” he concluded.
The PDP campaign kick started on Oct. 10, 2022 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, terminated today after the Yola gathering.