Introduction
It is with gratitude to God Almighty and with a deep sense of humility that I accept my nomination as the flag bearer of the PDP in the Governorship election of Adamawa State 2015.
Adamawa State, which was created from the old Gongola State in 1991, has over 80 ethnic groups, each with its distinct historical and cultural heritage yet understanding and accommodating each other.
The State has a current population of approximately 4 million people, majority of who are into agriculture as a source of their livelihood. The beauty of our State lies in its diversity: the diversity of the people and the land.
As a mark of instability, the State has been governed by six different governors since the return to democracy in 1999. Together with its neighbouring Borno and Yobe States, Adamawa has also been under a state of emergency since May 14, 2013. The State is urgently in need of governance reforms and positive change.
We must think clearly and act decisively to change behaviour and transform the State to a better pedestal; this, we must do if we have learned anything. We must look towards the future and move forward, unlock our potentials and opportunities and discover our possibilities.
Our hopes and aspirations must embolden us to act in the manner we ought to. We must understand where we are now, our state of governance, political, economic, and social aspects and move to develop a common position of clarity and vision that will provide the insight we need to steer the course of Adamawa State for the future. Inspired by who we are, united in our pursuit for a better society, one guided by the people and for the people – our vision must reflect this. If elected, we will tap those resources and diversities for the ultimate benefit of the people of Adamawa State.
We intend to govern honestly, with sincerity of purpose and commitment. We shall run an all inclusive government, reducing waste and enhancing transparency and accountability, at the same time, creating harmony and peaceful coexistence through justice and fairness.
This Manifesto is therefore a short statement of our purpose and strategic direction. It sets out to briefly present the man, Nuhu Ribadu, and in line with the federal government’s transformation agenda, key priorities of our campaign and eventual ascension to government.
The Man Nuhu Ribadu
Nuhu Ribadu was born in Yola, Adamawa State, on November 21, 1960. Ribadu attended Aliyu Mustapha Primary School, Yola from 1966 to 1973 and Yelwa Government Secondary School, Yola from 1973-1977. Between 1978 and 1980, he was at the College of Preliminary Studies, CPS, Yola, for his A-level studies. In 1980, he gained admission to study law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1983. He graduated from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar in 1984. He joined the Police immediately after his national service.
Ribadu holds an LLM degree with emphasis on the jurisprudence of corruption in Nigeria from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In 2008, he was at the Harvard Business School where he did a program in the strategic management of law enforcement agencies.
The name Nuhu Ribadu has become a household name in Nigeria and beyond on account of his glorious public service record and personal integrity. A trained lawyer and fearless crime fighter, Ribadu has carved a niche for himself as someone who is patriotic, passionate, honest, courageous and compassionate.
He was the pioneer Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the government commission tasked with countering corruption and fraud which he literally transformed into one of the most effective and renowned anti-graft agencies in modern history. Yet, his major tribute to anti-corruption crusade was his selflessness, resilience and exemplary conduct in his spirited fight against the cankerworm.
With uncommon commitment and dedication to duty, Ribadu worked assiduously to clean the Aegean stable created by grafts and frauds. He courageously brought to book hundreds of fraudsters, scores of high profile looters and economic saboteurs in spite of temptation, booby traps and threats to life.
In three years, the EFCC under his leadership built the now most celebrated Crimes Training and Research Institute in the West African region. The agency also recorded over 200 criminal convictions under his leadership.
In acknowledgement of these rare achievements, Ribadu was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in March 2007. The African Union put him on its advisory board on anti-corruption matters; and he was invited to join the advisory board of the friends of the World Bank/UNODC initiative on stolen asset recovery. Ribadu is a recipient of several awards as a police officer, prosecutor and Chairman, EFCC.
He received the Inspector General of Police Awards in 1997, 1998 and 2000 and the Special Commendation of Mr. President in 2005, for the successful prosecution of several advance fee fraud, banking fraud and sundry economic crime cases. He was also specially commended by the Accountant General of the Federation for successfully prosecuting some corrupt public servants in 1999.
Since 2004, notable newspapers and magazines in Nigeria have repeatedly voted Ribadu as Man of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a committed crusader against corruption and other related crimes.
In 2008, Ribadu completed the senior executive course of the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies where he was conferred with the Membership of the National Institute, MNI. In June 2010, Ribadu was awarded the Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by Babcock University, Ogun State, in recognition of his "resolute courage" as well as his "fierce stance against corruption in the face of sponsored disgrace and certain death that has resulted into positive changes and global acclaim hitherto considered impossible".
In a quest for higher call to service, Ribadu aspired to head the country as the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2011 election. He however lost to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. In August 2014 Ribadu left his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under whose platform he is aspiring to be governor of Adamawa State as a mark of sacrifice not only to root out corruption in the polity which remains a critical success factor in governance but also to arrest the decadence in the State.
With a resounding pedigree – integrity, commitment, astute administration capacity, a sense of justice and fairness, and above all, being passionate in whatever he does, Ribadu will bring these personal and amiable attributes to create a sense of belonging, unite the people, protect the weak and vulnerable, adhere to the rule of law and improve the living conditions of Adamawa people and Nigerians as a whole.
Ribadu believes that “in countries like Nigeria, if there is going to be hope, chances are it is going to be through the enthronement of law and order, rule of law, doing things properly and correctly”; and that "no policy of government can ever work unless you start from the basics, unless you will start cleaning up and giving a chance for policies to work" It is with this vision in mind that he declared - "I’m in politics to participate, to look for an opportunity and chance to make my own contribution and help make a better country."
Delivering Governance that Works
We do not assume that it would be easy to effect desirable change. Nevertheless, it is our acute awareness of the enormity of the problems and challenges ahead that we intend to carry every meaningful person along in our relentless and epoch-making aspiration. This manifesto derives from the fundamental objectives and directive principles of the Nigerian Constitution.
It recognizes the contributions of all stakeholders and spurs us into action. It is both a statement of principles of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and a call to action for the good people of Adamawa State. It serves as our preparation to foster commitment and engender good governance – for our people and our future – a drive towards our equality, hopes and our achievements.
Vision:
To make Adamawa State a model of good governance and infrastructural development in Nigeria by the year 2019.
Mission:
To run an open and accountable government that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of Adamawa people, as well as trigger the changes that will transform the State especially in the critical areas of peace and harmonious coexistence, provision of infrastructure, education, healthcare and agriculture.
Key Priorities
Recognizing the multitude of the problems and challenges facing our state, as well as the limitation of resources, any meaningful and constructive interventions must be prioritized. The heart of what we will do is focused on improving the welfare and productivity of our people.
The common denominators of our interventions are based on the dire need to reduce unemployment, poverty and inequality amongst our people. Our plan will follow a growth strategy based on targeted interventions to remove constraints in both formal and informal sector value chains with high employment and growth potential. Accordingly, our interventions shall be anchored on the key priority areas mentioned below.
· Urgent rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced population; and collaborating with the federal government to enhance security of lives and property.
· Reducing the cost of governance by blocking existing leakages and making sure that resources available are equitably used for the good of the people.
· Reengineering the economy:
o Making agribusiness a priority as a potential tool for broad development impact and poverty reduction;
o Provision of well-functioning infrastructure (electricity, water, roads, renewable energy, telecoms);
o Better access to finance by developing sectors of the credit market, from microfinance to larger corporations;
o Reforming the investment climate and minimizing bureaucratic procedures; and
o Implementing a growth strategy based on targeted interventions to remove constraints in both formal and informal sector value chains with high employment and growth potentials.
· Ensuring effective health care delivery: Our concern for better healthcare and the prevention of illnesses is at the forefront of our healthcare intervention. We aim to stimulate access to health care closer to home by supporting those who administer appropriate health care resources to improve and preserve the health of the people of Adamawa.
Providing access to better health care can be a comprehensive plan but our approach will focus on meeting significant target performances in availability, affordability and acceptability. In order to do this, first, we will ensure adequate supply of services through the right infrastructure, manpower and regulations; second, minimize financial, organizational and social barriers that inhibit access in our rural and urban areas. We will strive to make health care services relevant and effective to gain the best possible health outcomes for our people.
As we work towards providing access, and “gaining” access, we also will not lose focus on the relevance and effectiveness of services and the equity of access. Our delivery approach will focus on guiding principles such as:
• Strengthening primary health care infrastructure and facilities;
• Promoting health care systems that coordinate safe medical care, long term services, and community-based resources;
• Decentralize healthcare responsibilities to local governments, and ensure that minimum service levels meet set guidelines;
• Providing capacity needs for health care workers;
• Reduce maternal and child mortality and promote women’s health; and
• Ensure available cost-effective treatments to all patients who need them.
· Education: Access and equity in standard and quality represent the basic structural setbacks for the sector. We do not underestimate the benefit of education to our people as the key to mind building, and as the catalyst and stimulus for driving planned socio-economic development initiatives. For this reason, we will work to create more effective policy strategies that not only improve infrastructure, learning resources and teaching skills, but also family commitments to help us close the gaps that hinder enrolment and literacy. Our other interventions will prioritize the following:
• Early childhood development;
• Increased funding, as it is cited as the major setback to enrolment;
• Ensure most children are able to attend a good local school with admissions policies applying to all schools;
• Improve the quality of teaching and learning; and
• Improve literacy level, enrolment and better access for the girl child.
Women and Youth Empowerment
A cardinal objective of my administration if voted into office will be the empowerment of women which is not just intertwined with rights but a precondition for advancing development and reducing poverty. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities, and they improve prospects for the next generation. Women empowerment would be mainstreamed in all facets of the administration be it the civil service, judiciary and the executive. It would also reflect in our dealings with the private sector and civil society.
On the other hand, our young people will be actively engaged in the production chain of the economy and uplift the quality of their lives to a reasonable standard obtainable anywhere. It is my belief that women and children, by their sheer population ratio, deserve a better treatment. We cannot afford to neglect the future!
Key Enablers
In order to achieve the government’s vision and mission for Adamawa State, the effectiveness of the civil service is crucial for promoting social and industrial harmony. We intend, therefore, to bring civil service reforms that will make the Service in tandem with the best practices obtainable everywhere. Training and re-training will be given priority.
This development plan will be anchored on the following throngs:
· Constructive engagement with the people of Adamawa State at all levels.
· Partnering with federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
· Building on the leverage with development partners.
Undoubtedly, Adamawa is one of the States with challenges of income and finances. Currently, the State depends heavily on revenue allocations from the federation account, which make up over 90% of total revenues. Yearly allocation hovers just over N50 billion and internally generated revenues have remained significantly low, around N4 billion annually.
However, we intend to run a government that is fiscally responsible, within the means of the State. Policy interventions must be economically sustainable such that they ensure efficiency, less debt, responsible lending, proper regulation and no risky financial instruments. What is important is to set priorities that will make Adamawa State one of the best governed States in Nigeria.
As an alternative to the State’s dependence on federal allocations, the government plans a new economic growth model that will widen the tax base and generate more revenue for the State, improve compliance with untaxed businesses, as well as raise user fees and leases on government goods and services, including mineral rights.
Privatising certain non-key government-run enterprises would also turn tax-subsidized operations into tax-generating ones. These will be effectively managed such that they are easy to administer, progressive as well as neutral, without disrupting the allocation of resources.
Conclusion
We are fully aware of the challenges ahead of us. We therefore use this medium to extend our hands of friendship and solidarity to the good people of Adamawa State to give us their support and opportunity to make a difference.
We are humbled by our success thus far, and we appeal to all peace loving citizens of our State to join hands with us for a better Adamawa. We cannot achieve our goals without the support of others, but we trust in God Almighty that He is the ultimate and He will lead us in the right path.
This Manifesto is a statement of our objectives and directive principles in brief. Our blueprint, which will be developed in collaboration with all Stakeholders, will be based on these key principles and priorities as well as the manifesto of our great party - the Peoples’ Democratic Party.
We trust that we can rely on your support and cooperation, and leveraging on the support of our Party, the PDP in Adamawa State and in Nigeria as a whole, to build a better State for the present and future generation.
Long live Adamawa State!
Long live the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
