THE presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, says the prevalence of insecurity and violence in Abuja leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
Atiku said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that a federal government under him as president will give the nation’s capital all that is due to it and its citizens appointed into government positions. .
He made the declaration during the FCT rally of the party which took place at Eagle Square on Saturday, saying that if need be, the government would seek constitutional review to ensure that the rights and privileges of the FCT citizens are protected.
The former vice-president also promised to restore security to the nation’s capital to enable residents to go about their businesses without fear.
Speaking on his plans for the FCT, Atiku stated: “If you give us your support again, we will do more than what we did between 1999 and 2015 for the residents of Abuja.
“All your entitlements under the current constitution, all the appointments that belong to Abuja will be given to Abuja.
“You know that we have done so before and we are going to do so again.
“If what you have demanded requires constitutional review, we assure you that we shall support that constitutional review so that your aspirations are protected and guaranteed in our new constitution.
“More so, we have pledged to restructure this country. In the process of restructuring, we shall give you all that you are demanding. I want to assure you that, and I want to promise you that.
“Currently, we have challenges. Can you imagine Abuja not secured? Can you imagine Abuja the Federal Capital Territory not secured? We shall protect Abuja and secure it for your own safety.
“Of course, you are aware of our five-point agenda. We shall unify this country. Every part of this country will be given a sense of belonging. No part will be sidelined; no part will be marginalised. That is how to bring a sense a unity in a country like Nigeria.
“We have pledged to restore security. It is very essential that we give everybody peace: a farmer, peace to go to the farm, a trader, peace to trade, peace to everybody. It is only when there is peace that we can undertake our different aspirations.
“We have promised that education is key to youth development. We have the highest number of out of school children. We will make sure that these children go back to school. Not only that, we will make sure that our universities reopen forever and ever.
“The people of Abuja, before anybody feels the impact of government, you will be the first because you are in the federal capital. I promise that a PDP administration will fulfill all these obligations. We thank you very much indeed.”