By MIKEL

Under a headline, “INEC Okays 91 parties for 2019 polls, disqualifies 121” on the Punch Newspaper on August, 2018, INEC said that  No fewer than 91 political parties are expected to participate in the general elections in 2019 as they approve the registration of 23 new political parties. The National Commissioner and Member, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said this in a statement shortly after INEC’s regular meeting in Abuja.

The 23 newly registered parties are Advanced Alliance Party, Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party, African Action Congress, Alliance for a United Nigeria, Alliance of Social Democrats, Alliance National Party, Allied People’s Movement, and Alternative Party of Nigeria, Change Nigeria Party, Congress Of Patriots, Liberation Movement, Movement for Restoration and Defence of Democracy, Nigeria Community Movement Party, Nigeria For Democracy, Peoples Coalition Party, Reform and Advancement Party, Save Nigeria Congress, and the United Patriots, United Peoples Congress, We The People Nigeria, Yes Electorates Solidarity, Youth Party, and Zenith Labour Party. The commission noted that it received 144 applications from political associations seeking registration as political parties but only the 23 parties met the requirements.

On October, the Mahmood Yakubu led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said a total of 79 candidates will be contesting the 2019 presidential election and that particulars of the candidates have been pasted. A close look at the documents pasted at the federal capital territory (FCT) office of the commission, however, showed there are 59 candidates whose documents have so far been published.

In another development through an agency report on the 19^th November, 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 56 political parties out of the 91 registered parties in the country are set to participate in the 2019 general elections. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Rivers, Obo Effanga, made this statement during a media briefing in Port Harcourt. And out of this only 31 political candidates are shortlisted for the presidential race. This is an upgrade against 11 parties that submitted names of candidates to INEC for the 2015 presidency poll.

The 31 Presidential candidates * President Muhammadu Buhari – All Progressives Congress, APC * Alhaji Atiku Abubakar – Peoples Democratic Party, PDP * Mr. Donald Duke – Social Democratic Party, SDP * Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim – Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN * Mr. Omoyele Sowore – African Action Congress, AAC * Mrs Obi Ezekwesili – Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN * Dr. Obadiah Mailafia – African Democratic Congress, ADC * Prof Kingsley Moghalu – Young Progressive Party, YPP * Pastor Chris Okotie – Fresh Democratic Party, FDP * Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, retd – Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN * Hon. Habib Mohammed Gajo – Young Democratic Party, YDP * Dr. Olusegun Mimiko – Zenith Labour Party, ZLP * Major General John Gbor – All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA * Ali Soyode – YES Party * Dr. Davidson Isibor Akhimien – Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria, GDPN * Ike Keke – New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP * Apostle Sunday Chukwu-Eguzolugo – Justice Must Prevail Party, JMPP * Mrs. Eunice Atuejide – National Interest Party, NIP * Hamisu Santuraki – Mega Party of Nigeria, MPN * Hon. Edozie Madu – Independent Democrat Party, IDP * Prof. Peter Nwangwu – We the People of Nigeria Party, WPNP * Mr. Ahmed Bee Buhari – Sustainable National Party, SNP * Mr. Tope Fasua – Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, ANRP * Mr. Ade Fagbenro Bryon – Kowa Party * Moses Shipi – All Blending Party, ABP * Alhaji Yahaya Ndu – African Renaissance Party, ARP * Mr. Chuks Nwachukwu – All Grassroots Alliance. AGA * Pastor Habu Aminchi – Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM * Yabagi Yusuf Sani – Action democratic Party, ADP * Mr. Babatunde Ademola – Nigeria Community Movement Party, NCMP * Mr. Martin Onovo – Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP

The incumbent (President Muhammad Buhari, APC)

He is the sitting President. Prior to what he said he had specifically delivered in the area of security, economy and fighting of corruption in line with his promise to Nigerians and although the menace of Boko-Haram remained a challenge in some parts of the country. He explained that although unemployment remained a challenge in Nigeria. His administration had ensured food security and encouraged Nigerian farmers to achieve food security.

Nearly four years on the saddle as President, there are little doubts that the February       16, 2019 presidential poll would be a referendum on Buhari’s stewardship and record of achievements. Nigerians would recall that within the period, lingering executive versus Legislature schisms slowed down the President, in addition the management of the economy, troubled by exchange rate and insecurity occasioned by unceasing herdsmen versus farmers’ clashes and unremitting massacres, unexplained killings; aloof leadership style as well as reports of widespread corruption within his party.

His excellence said his administration would continue to fight corruption and if voted into office for a second term in 2019. What assurances would the incumbent be offering to voters as he seeks a second four-year term in the exalted, but highly demanding office? 

Main contender (Alh. Atiku Abubakar, PDP

Manifesto Key points of his policy document titled Let’s Get Nigeria Working Again include provision of a competitive and open economic system, human capital development, reformation of public institutions to make them stronger and more supportive and facilitating and enhancement of private sector access to credit which will be prioritized.

Mr. Atiku also explained that tapping from the opportunities available in private sector and business in Nigeria, he was privileged to have become one of the respected entrepreneurs, who have created more opportunities in almost every industry. “From education to agriculture; manufacturing to media; logistics to consultancy, among others.

He launched a book called “The Atiku Plan” for the new Nigeria if elected. Alh. Atiku Abubakar has made giant strides and left a positive impact, having had the opportunity to be the heartbeat of the Presidency as vice president. 

Third horses (Ezekwesili, Duke, Olawepo-Hashim)

Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili (Allied Congress Party of Nigeria)

The former minister of education In her manifesto tagged: Moving Nigeria from Poverty Central to Prosperity Central”, she said previous administrations were purposeless and appeared not to be a government in place for the people but for selfish purposes “I will be telling you how we intend to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.” She represent that new momentum and credible alternative, we shall build a prosperous society on the back of the private sector and make the private sector the engine of growth in reality to our country. Through policy, effective regulation and catalytic public investment in the provision of basic services for people and businesses, we will accelerate and expand the sources of growth in the economy. A massive program of deregulation of the Nigerian economy to unleash the depth of competition and efficiencies necessary for higher and deeper economic growth and expansion of the economy. A commitment to pursuing growth that is inclusive which is a necessity for lifting the poor to an improved state of well-being. A dedication to improving the Productivity and Competitiveness of Nigeria and Nigerians in every sector of economic activity by removing barriers and providing a menu of sound policy measures. Human Development shall be our new economy. Education and skills development of healthy Nigerian people shall be our Number One priority. No matter what we do, we would never win the war on poverty without investing massively in human capital development.

But to the surprise of many Nigerians, Mrs. Obi Ezekwesili steps out of the 2019 presidential in other to form a coalition that will defeat both PDP AND APC.

Mr. Donald Duke (Social Democratic Party)

Duke said: We need to expand the economy. You have an army of people and our Bureau of Statistics says that 15 per cent of Nigerians is unemployed.  I can reverse this in a short time by two-ticket item. Find a way to put money into people’s hands. Clean up the 2.5 billion cubic feet of gas equivalent of 25million liters of diesel that is flared every day”. He also stated that if elected, his government would address infrastructural challenges facing the nation. “We can build rail lines. Rail lines technology is so basic. We can do them. We have to go beyond seeking and borrowing and depending on foreign aid for our development. Our development needs to come from within ourselves. We need to wake up”. He also spoke of his stand on restructuring, stressing that “In restructuring this country, let no part be left behind because you are as strong as your weakest link. I support the clamour for restructuring. As individuals and people, we have our own differences”.

The former cross river state governor also said that he will extend the civil servants retirement age to 45 years of service or 70 years of age mandatory; retirement after 35 years of service or 60 years of age will be optional.

Mr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim (Alliance for New Nigeria)

Explained it’s too late for the people of the Middle Belt to be conquered, as he promised to put a halt to incessant killings. The former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, spoke at a rally organized by the Middle Belt Forum.

Mr. Olawepo, who condemned the current onslaught by killer herders, especially in the Middle Belt region, said the current administration lacks political will to stop the killings, hence the need to change the current Nigerian leaders.

OTHER  candidates

Mr. Tope Fasua (Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party)

Mr. Fasua said, he is unequivocal about his agenda to fix the economy, saying “it is the one thing we are targeting to fix. “I am promising 15 – 20 per cent growth, 50 -70 million people out of poverty within 2-3 year of my governance. “If we start this economy on a positive growth we should be growing this economy by 15- 20%. Taking people out of poverty bringing much more business opportunity in the environment, bringing in tourism and new ideas.” “We are going to be turning things around, re-energizing the educational sectors to be solution providers, even all of this electricity stuff is going to be fixed by our students and lecturers in the Universities and Polytechnics in Nigeria, bringing in positive future for this country. “What am bringing to the table is a fact and figures-based kind of leadership. A sense of urgency. A lot of myth-busting “thinking about what doesn’t exist and asking why”. A system kind of thinking, as well as attention to details which we haven’t seen.

Prof Kingsley Moghalu (Young Progressive Party)

Moghalu promises to compose a world class, “first eleven” team based on merit and inclusive governance to drive government policy. According to him, “The appointment of all senior officials of the Presidency will be announced within 48 hours. My government will enthrone evidence-based public policy, strategy and risk management as tools of effective and modern governance”. He also promises to lead a consultative political process, in cooperation with the National Assembly, to achieve a constitutional restructuring of Nigeria and return our country to true federalism for stability and prosperity by 2021. Furthermore, he assures of implementing a 50/50 gender parity policy in all political appointments, nearly double the ratio recommended by the National Gender Policy of 2008 also the establishment and implementation a Diaspora engagement and return policy and strategy as a new, fundamental component of our national quest for development as has been the case in China, India or Israel and he said his government will build the Diaspora Commission approved by the National Assembly into an effective, world class institution to accomplish this important agenda.

Yabagi Yusuf Sani (Action Democratic Party)

Mr. Sani believes that Nigeria needs a new dimension of leadership that would be focused, proactive and determined in improving the nation’s security through effectiveness. He stated that: “We will create a new direction toward positive change in the economic, infrastructural development, health and education. “We believe that our country can become great as we have no business with killings and with good leadership, we can bring all these to work.” He promised to pay N100,000 as minimum wage to civil servants, stating, he will work hard to plug the loopholes and other conduit pipes of corruption in order for the government to have more money to spend. He also muted the idea of commercializing NNPC where proceeds from the venture will be reinvested to make the economy boom, he is projecting $1 trillion GDP based economy. Yabagi has also identified joblessness and poverty as two main factors affecting the growth of the country, stating that over 70 million Nigerians will be lifted from poverty with the creation of 5 million jobs through the government and private sectors yearly.

Olufela Durotoye Adetokunbo (Alliance for New Nigeria)

Mr. Durotoye noted that will focus on power, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, business and industries and the economy. Others are enforcing the rule of law, creating jobs and reducing the cost of living in the areas of food, transport, housing, fuel and so on. Durotoye promised to diversify the economy by promoting non-oil sector growth through agriculture, mines and steel, manufacturing and the services industry by providing legal and fiscal incentives in these industries and sectors.

Omoyele Sowore (African Action Congress)

Manifesto Sowore’s 8-point plan for Nigeria include security, power, decentralize power, infrastructural development, war against corruption, rebuilding the economy and job creation.

 Pastor Chris Okotie – Fresh Democratic Party, FDP

Opinions of endorsement; Nigerians felt that our country so badly governed by the APC candidate elected 4 years ago that it had gone to the dogs so to say and we wanted a change that any alternative would have been preferred, then is it Alhaji. Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo or Mr. Donald Duke could be the messiah but this movement has showcased Alh. Atiku Abubakar has the most credible to lead the country.