Ethnic nationalities under the aegies of the Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Communities Development Association (CONECDA) has presented a charter of demands to the Presidential Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on what they want him to do if he is elected into office.
The presentation was made to the wife of the Presidential candidate Senator Oluremi Tinubu during her visit to Jos where she met with the leadership of the indigenous groups, Christian religious leaders and also held a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders.
At the Town Hall meeting which was hosted by the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong, the Charter of Demands was presented to the wife of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by Professor Yusufu Turaki.
He said the Charter of demands was developed for the political class particularly those seeking the highest office in the land in order to highlight the challenges of the people of the ethnic nationalities who are often left behind in national governance.
Dr. Zuwaqhu Bonat, National Coordinator of CONECDA said the general economic, social, and security situation of Nigeria has grossly impacted on the lives of the people of the middle belt where the ethnic nationalities exist.
He said apart from insecurity, there is high unemployment, poverty, food insecurity and crises that are often violent.
He said the big question for CONECDA is what will an incoming President do different than what is obtained today to improve the economy and protect the rights of minority bribes as enshrined in the UN Charter?
He also said the charter wants Restructuring of Nigeria to have constituency delineation, local Government autonomy, state police among others.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the Charter of demands was appropriate and already captured in the manifesto of the APC Presidential Candidate.
She promised to present it to her husband and also ensure that he implements it when elected. She also cited his open mindedness as well as passion for equity, fairness and justice saying Asiwaju is not a man who discriminates against people out of religious, ethnic or other differences.
Governor Lalong said Asiwaju has carefully planned how to take care of the ethnic nationalities in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He referred to how the Northern Governors in the APC under his leadership insisted on power shift to the South which strengthens the hope that one day a Minority will be President.
He asked the stakeholders to give Asiwaju the benefit of doubt as he and Governor Joshua Dariye who also attended are all saying Asiwaju be voted to power.
APC Gubernatorial candidate for Plateau State Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda said APC is united to present Asiwaju as a President that will guarantee fairness, equity and justice.
He called on people to follow the man who knows the road and also appreciated the Committee for the good in putting up the charter assuring that he will surely work with Asiwaju to implement it if elected as Governor of Plateau State.
Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Idris Wase said the achievements of Asiwaju in Lagos is a proof that he will give all nationalities a sense of belonging.
He said in terms of religious tolerance, he has proven that he is with all by presenting a Pastor in the person of Osinbanjo to be Vice President, also explaining that Tinubu was instrumental to his emergence as Deputy Speaker.
