Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the major focus of his government will be on how to restructure the country to give more power and resources to the federating units.
Speaking on Monday at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, the former vice president said the Niger Delta needs more restructuring than any other part of Nigeria.
While promising to devolve more powers to the Niger Delta, Abubakar said the region does not need to “beg” the federal government for everything because it produces the nation’s resources.
“We propose to restructure this country. You people in the Niger Delta need more restructuring than any other part of this country,” he said.
“We would give you more resources and power to deal with your problems. You don’t need to always beg the federal government for everything when you are actually producing the resources of the country
“So, we will devolve more power and resources to you in the Niger Delta.”
Abubakar also said every developmental project done in Bayelsa since 1999 was executed by the PDP administration.
“I want to remind you since the beginning of democracy, Bayelsa has been PDP and PDP has been Bayelsa,” he said.
“Everything you see in Bayelsa today was provided by the PDP government, everything. Therefore, I am calling on you, the people of Bayelsa, not to leave PDP; don’t make the mistake of leaving PDP.
“You have provided governors and a president, and you are going to provide many more. So, the future of Nigeria and Bayelsa is tied to PDP.
“I want to appeal to you. You have listened to my programmes. I said I am committed to implementing five key programmes in this country starting from the unification of this country.”