Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has declared that as opposed to the government of national unity which many have suggested that he should run, he will run a government of national competence.
He said a government of national competence was beyond a government of national unity and would be more beneficial to the nation and its people in all ramifications.
Tinubu made the declaration on Thursday in a statement titled “Nigeria: At the cusp of Renewed Hope”.
His words: “As your incoming president, I accept the task before me. There has been talk of a government of national unity. My aim is higher than that. I seek a government of national competence.”
He said with a government of national competence, due cognizance would be given to the merit in the selection of those that would control the affairs of the nation.
“In selecting my government, I shall not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance. The day for political gamesmanship is long gone. I shall assemble competent men and women and young people from across Nigeria to build a safer, more prosperous and just Nigeria. There shall be young people. Women shall be prominent. Whether your faith leads you to pray in a church or mosque will not determine your place in government. Character and competence will.”
Tinubu added that of utmost importance to his government would be to secure the nation and make it more prosperous.
“We cannot sacrifice these goals to political expediencies. The whims of politics must take a backseat to the imperatives of governance.
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“We have bridges and roads to build not just for commerce and travel but to connect people of different faiths, parties and different outlooks in harmonious dialogue and common purpose. We have families to feed not just to eliminate hunger but to nurture enlightenment, civic responsibility and compassion. We have jobs to create not merely to put people to work but to afford all a better standard of living by which families and communities are improved and democracy deepened. We have water to replenish not just to quench physical thirst but to ignite a thirst for creative and better solutions to society’s challenges. We have a nation to protect such that we eliminate danger and even the fear of danger. May all of our people be able to live their lives in the light of peace and the glow of broadening prosperity,” he said.
According to him, an important step toward restoring economic normalcy had been taken by the Supreme Court’s decision on the parity of old and new notes .
“This restores both the rule of law and economic decency. But this is not the end of the story. It is merely the beginning of a more comprehensive solution to our economic challenges.
“Our Renewed Hope Action Plan outlines goals for greater economic growth in our cities and rural communities. We are committed to an economy of double-digit GDP growth, greater food security and one with a strengthened manufacturing base as well as an active digital economy where young people will have ample space to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.
“I realize that I am the servant of a larger purpose. As such, I have gone straight to work,” the President-elect asserted.
