Two Years Of APC: A Change Of Promises Or All Promises Cancelled?

By Sumner Shagari Sambo

This is a reminder of all campaign promises made by the ruling All Progressives Congress led by its candidate President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Read promises below:

“From instituting state and community policing,to banning government officials from seeking medical care abroad, to the implementation of the National Gender Policy, including reserving 35 percent of appointive positions for women, to the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

“There were many other promises contained in some glossy publications thatNigerians believed had the authority of Buhari. Nigerians were told that within a period of four years, the Buhariadministration would generate, transmit and distribute at least 20,000 MW of electricity while providing employment for no fewer than 740,000 graduatesacross the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Other promises includethe establishment of a free-tuition and scholarship scheme for pupils who show
exceptional aptitude in science subjects at O/Levels to study ICT-relatedcourses, creating three million jobs per year besides vocational training,entrepreneurial and skills acquisition schemes for graduates as well asestablishing a Small Business Loan Guarantee Scheme to create at least fivemillion new jobs by 2019.

“The Buhari administration, according to his campaign manifesto, was going to provide one free meal (to include fruits) daily, for public primary school pupils; eradicate State of Origin requirement by replacing it with State of
Residence; amend the Constitution and the Land Use Act to create freehold/leasehold interests in land along with matching grants for states to create a nationwide electronic land title register on a state by state basis. It
was also going to construct 3,000 kilometres of super-highway includingservice trunks while building up to 4,800 kilometres of modern railway lines,etc

“Unchallenged by the then ruling PDP that apparently believed it could buyits way back to power with money being taken from the treasury, Nigerianswere left to swallow all manner of promises from the APC and Buhari in anelection in which the incumbent had lost so much credibility.

When it becameobvious that Buhari could win, PDP leaders began to raise questions about thehealth of the APC candidate. With an orchestrated campaign on social media,all forms of ailments were said to be afflicting Buhari, raising a scare that reminded Nigerians of the fate that befell President Yar’Adua and the national
crisis his health challenge generated.

“There were no promises in the books that the APC did not maketo Nigerians during the campaigns for the 2015 general elections, even thoughtheir flag-bearer cumulatively spoke for less than two hours, if you had heardall of what he said at all the campaign stops in one session. But others made
lavish promises on his behalf.”

As the Buhari-Osinbajo led administration marks its second anniversary, which of the promises above have they fulfilled or cancelled? Your views please.