The All
Progressives Congress says it will probe how various
administrations from 2000 to 2013 managed the nation’s oil revenue.
The APC, which was formed by three main opposition parties, the
Action Congress of Nigeria, the Congress for Progressive Change, the All
Nigeria Peoples Party, and a faction of the All Progressives Grand
Alliance, stated this in its manifesto obtained by our correspondent in Abuja
on Friday.
In the manifesto, the party said it would pursue an
eight-cardinal programme, including war against corruption, food security,
accelerated power supply, integrated transport network, free education,
devolution of power, accelerated economic growth and affordable health care.
On the war against corruption, it said, “We shall negotiate oil
deals, unveil the secrecy surrounding the ownership of 49 per cent of the
Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, query the over N50tn oil revenue which accrued
to the Federation Account between 2000 and 2013 and recover billions of US
dollars which Ministries, Departments and Agencies failed to remit to the
Federation Account.”
The Peoples Democratic Party administrations of Olusegun
Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, have been ruling the country
since 1999.
The APC also promised to strengthen the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission and make them independent.
The party said it would review public service rules and
financial regulations, which encourage impropriety in public finances.
The APC stated that it would move for the removal of the
immunity clause in the constitution, which protects the President, vice-president,
governors and deputy governors from prosecution while in office.
It said, “APC in government shall muster the political will to
wage strident war against corruption; otherwise, our post-oil economy will be
disastrous.
“It is our considered view that none of our cardinal programmes
will succeed if the current level of corruption and looting going on in the
land is allowed to continue.
“We shall plug all leakages which accelerate monumental
corruption, recover looted funds, cap and trim unwarranted allowances to public
office holders.”
The APC said it had adopted for its manifesto some
recommendations of the defunct Electoral Reform Committee, known as Muhammadu
Uwais Panel, set up by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
The recommendations that will be adopted include “making the
appointment of the chairman and top officials of the National and State
Electoral Commissions public” and that the “Burden of Proof shall rest on the
Electoral Commissioners.”
On the power sector, the APC said it would pursue the expansion
of electricity generation and distribution of up to 40,000 megawatts in the
four to eight years of its administration.
The APC said it would encourage an amendment of the constitution
with a view to decentralising the police and expanding local content.
Source: Punch
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