The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has said he has what it takes to negotiate an amicable solution to the myriads of agitation across the country.
He promised to remove the fuel subsidy, adding that the proceeds would be used to develop other sectors of the economy.
Speaking at the Townhall interview on Channels Television in Abuja on Sunday, Atiku said that the fuel subsidy had already been liquidated, adding that “all that is needed now is to engage more stakeholders as far as the removal of subsidy is concerned, that will fetch billions of naira, which we can invest in other sectors of the economy.”
On the agitations across the country, Atiku who appeared alongside his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, said the agitations, including the one by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), would be resolved through negotiations.
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The former vice president said, “I believe we should be able to negotiate with the agitators from the South East, as far as the issue of Biafra is concerned. We believe what they need is more autonomy as far as their region is concerned.”
The PDP candidate also noted that his proposed restructuring of the country, by devolution of more powers and resources would go a long way in resolving the problem.
In his own submission, Okowa said the South East had continued to agitate because they don’t feel included.
“If you watch the security architecture of the current government, they don’t appear to play any major roles. So, they see themselves as if they are not part of this nation,” he said.
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