Ezekwesili promises to deliver 80m Nigerians from poverty

• Highlights her economic policies, plans

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. (Mrs) Obiageli Ezekwesili, has expressed the confidence that if elected Nigerian president, her programme will lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Ezekwesili, fondly called Madam Due Process made the promise while reading out her policy speech to the media on Monday in Lagos.

She said: “My plan proposes a better future for Nigerians. It is a blueprint of possibilities and a pledge to Nigerians of what an ACPN government can achieve. Our program will provide hope, progress and prosperity for everyone.

“We will be radical but responsible. We will think big while living within our means. The overriding vision of an ACPN presidency shall be to build a new Nigeria that is prosperous, stable and harmonious.

“A strong belief in the dominant economic role of the private sector and a commitment of our government to launch vigorous market economy reforms 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, the division and rebalancing of roles between business and government will reduce opportunities of corruption and bottlenecks that limit the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.

“A commitment to pursuing growth that is inclusive which is a necessity for lifting the poor to an improved state of well-being. Research has shown us that the poor are uplifted faster in a market economy cushioned by relevant safety nets.

“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.

“A deliberateness in easing the Doing Business environment not just for major businesses in Nigeria but for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, which are the lifeblood of our economy.”