Abuja Businessman, Ibrahim Dauda, Joins Presidential Race

An Abuja-based businessman and politician, Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda, hasp into the ring, and joined the presidential race under the umbrella of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

He made the formal declaration on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 in Abuja, enthusing that he has all  that is needed to fix the mountains of problems confronting Nigeria.

Dauda detailed what he termed his social contract with Nigerians, which he said, encapsulates his development agenda that cuts across the economy, digital leadership, security, education in character and learning not just for the male child but also for the girl child, as well as giving women a pride of place in public policy, leadership and governance.

“There will be adequate women representation in my government when I’m elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, come 2023,” Dauda declared. “We shall ensure at least 35 percent representation of women at all levels of governance come 2023.”

Continuing, Dauda said 2023 would mark another turning point in the history of Nigeria when Nigerians would be filing to the polls to decide those personalities they would want to see lead this country for another four years.

“Next year’s election would be the seventh election cycle since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999,” he continued. “Granting the troubles in the land, next year’s election would be a defining moment for our great nation. It would be about loyalty to Nigerians, to programmes that would turn around the fortunes of the people for better.

“It would be about providing quality leadership at all times. it would be about in-depth knowledge of this country and its diversity. And for this, and many more, I say to those Nigerians earnestly asking me to run in 2023 that I’m ready to serve. And I hereby formally present myself for the post of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I will contest the position of President of our beloved country under the All Progressives Congress, APC come 2023.”

Dauda, who spoke off-the-cuff, promised to deliver what he termed digital leadership to Nigeria.  ‘Nigeria,” he said “will continue to depreciate and degenerate on the global progress chart if she keeps on procrastinating on automation and digitalization of processes within the bureaucracy and services sector.

“The entire world has advanced into the digital epoch. We will, therefore, be proactive in positioning Nigeria on the path of becoming a digital leader among the committee of Nations.”

Dauda decried the rash of insecurity across Nigeria. He used his genealogy to underscore the fact that Nigerians have so integrated into themselves than to fight or unleash mayhem on one another.

“For instance,” he continued, “I’m a Kanuri from Borno State, but born in Jos where I spent my childhood. Sadly, Jos or Plateau State and Borno State are hotbeds of insecurity today. The Jos we know today is not the Jos of the 1980s. How did the City of Tin become a dangerous place to reside? Why should Borno State be the theatre of terrorism? Why should citizens of Zamfara not sleep with both eyes closed out of fear for their lives? Why should Nigerians live in constant terror on the roads, farms, and homes? Why does the South-East vibrate with gunshots in broad daylight from unknown gunmen and bandits? Why should ritual killers and kidnappers become common features on our highways and forests.

“Without security, progress will become elusive. Under my watch, insecurity will be robustly confronted. We shall begin by addressing the welfare of our security personnel who fight in the front-line. No longer shall any of these courageous heroes be sacrificed unnecessarily in their line of duty.

“On the international scene, Nigeria, under my watch, will collaborate with international bodies like NATO, AU, and ECOWAS to invoke and enforce the necessary international protocols that will prevent not just proliferation of small and light arms, but also mercenaries and illegal migrants from violating our international borders.

“On the Nigerian media, we shall pursue legislation to establish a trust fund aimed at providing insurance and other added values for journalists and media practitioners. This we will give them the added capacity to participate more in the coverage of local, continental, and global events and activities, which they currently have challenges in covering due to lack of funding and insurance cover.”

On the economy, the presidential aspirant said: ‘The global digital economy is estimated at over $12 trillion which makes up about 15 percent of the global GDP currently. Anyone can imagine what this country can do with even a slender percentage of such a vast asset.

“For a start, and to launch our people into the front-line of the global digital revolution, all local regulations preventing Nigerians, especially youth and women, from participating as key players and beneficiaries in the digital space shall be addressed. Nigerians, youth, and women in particular,  will be encouraged by training, mentoring, treaties and the enabling legal framework to key into the abundant opportunities in the digital space and acquire legitimate revenue just as their counterparts currently do in other countries.

“We shall deploy innovative science and technology towards improving the nation’s developmental space and pace. A robust investment in Research and Development will be made every year. We shall pursue legislations that will mandate institutions and the private sector to utilise and deploy local solutions and products, as against the incessant importation of sometimes inferior competitions from abroad.”

On his educational policies, Dauda said as part of his dedication to human capital development, “we will work out a policy framework of Free Education covering Primary to Senior Secondary School levels in all public schools. We shall also encourage entrepreneurial and skills acquisition modules side by side with the normal curricular activities in schools.”

Dauda added up everything and promised to provide leadership devoid of negative emotions, sentiment, and selfish interest. “We shall uphold and strictly enforce the rule of law.,” he continued. “Nothing shall be spared in order to give our compatriots the quality of life they deserve. Nigeria will not continue to work for the few privileged ones on the Pareto scale. Under our watch, the greatest welfare will be guaranteed for the greatest majority of our men, women, youth, and children.”