The Young Progressives Party (YPP) presidential candidate, Arc. Dr. Peter Agada, has urged political candidates in Nigeria to present measurable and time-bound plans for addressing the country's challenges. During an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, Agada emphasized the need for clear details on policy implementation if elected. He criticized the current approach to political campaigns, stating that it has led to governance problems.
Agada argued that decades of treating political campaigns like poetry contests have hindered effective governance. Elected officials often spend considerable time identifying problems and setting up committees rather than implementing programs with defined objectives and timelines. He stressed that candidates promising job creation, improved healthcare, and other interventions should explain how such promises would be achieved and the timeframe for delivering them.
According to Agada, candidates seeking executive office should provide specific figures, timelines, and implementation plans for major policies contained in their manifestos. This would enable Nigerians to assess the feasibility of their proposed policies. He also called for better coordination among government agencies in planning and executing public projects to avoid infrastructure projects being implemented without supporting facilities and services.
The YPP candidate cited healthcare infrastructure as an example, stating that constructing a health facility should be planned alongside supporting infrastructure such as access roads, water supply, and electricity. This integrated approach would ensure that new facilities are functional and effective. Agada's comments reflect his broader concerns about the planning and execution of public projects in Nigeria.
Agada also advocated for greater public access to information on government projects, including their budgets, timelines, and implementation progress. Stronger public monitoring of projects could help address cases of abandoned projects, waste, and delays in the execution of government programs. This would promote transparency and accountability in governance.
The YPP presidential candidate urged presidential candidates and other political contenders to subject their manifestos to public scrutiny and provide evidence of how their proposed policies would be implemented. He encouraged candidates to be transparent about their plans and timelines, allowing Nigerians to make informed decisions.
Agada concluded by emphasizing the need for a more transparent and accountable approach to political campaigns and governance. He stated, "Let us stop selling hope without a tape measure. Show Nigerians the map, show them the figures, show them the timeline, and let the facts speak." This approach would help restore public trust in the political process and ensure that elected officials are held accountable for their actions.
Key points
- YPP presidential candidate Arc. Dr. Peter Agada calls on Nigerian presidential candidates to present measurable and time-bound plans for addressing the country's challenges.
