*Set Agenda for Tinubu’s Administration
Abuja Online Publishers Forum (AOPF) on Thursday felicitated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his assumption of office as the 16th President of Nigeria and using this opportunity to set agenda for the new administration.
In a press statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen by the Chairman and the Secretary of the Association, Martins Odiete and Shola Akingboye, respectively, the body, while commending Mr President’s long walk to victory, says the former Lagos state governor fought through thick and thin with a dint of hard work and resilience which he demonstrated during campaigns that culminated into the hard-earned victory.
Eulogising Tinubu’s political trajectory, the Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Martins Odiete reflected on the roles played by the new President in bringing Nigeria together in the wake of the June 12, 1993 election crisis that threatened the peaceful coexistence of the country.
Odiete reiterated the role President Bola Tinubu played, along with other pro-democracy stalwarts in the fierce battle against military dictatorship in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.
He encouraged the President-elect to act as a transformational leader by itching his name in gold in the history of the country.
“Given our constitutional responsibility as the watchdog of society, we will constructively bridge the gap between the government and the people,” Odiete said.
AOPF therefore, highlighted the following areas as part of our agenda for the President-elect:
“First, urgent palliative measures must be rolled out nationwide in the short to medium term to cushion the negative effects of the current economic crisis.
“The President should be magnanimous in victory, and work with all patriots irrespective of political divides. Nigeria at the moment is divided across ethnic lines, at AOPF, we cannot but urge you to bring back the lost glory of Nigeria as one undivided Nation.
“We call on you to strengthen the electoral process that brought you to power by reviewing the Electoral Act to bequeath a trusted and improved process. This will place Nigeria among committee of truly democratic nations of the world.
“The tenets of federal character and inclusion must be upheld to the latter in distributing appointive positions without sacrificing competence and patriotic character.
“Let there be equal rights for all religions; ethnicities, gender and other representations in the public service, military and security agencies.
“Nigerians look forward to stable electricity, quality education, and affordable and quality healthcare for all, among other basic necessities under your watch.
“Key among expectations of all Nigerians is a secure nation. Let the security of Nigeria be the administration’s priority, a nation where Nigerians can sleep with two eyes closed while businesses thrive for economic growth.
“While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the peaceful conduct of the last general elections as observed, the Forum is using this opportunity to appeal to the electoral umpire to be more proactive and ensure that future elections are free of rancour as witnessed in the last general election,” the statement said.
Finally, the body admonished other candidates who are still in court to be patriotic in words and deeds as they seek redress over any grievance through democratic means in the interest of the nation.
