CHEKWAS OKORIE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION 2015
www.chekwasokorieforpresident.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji
Director General, COPCO
09097353845
UPP's BELLO UMAR OUTLINES PARTY'S POLICY THRUST IN VP DEBATE
NIGERIA, Abuja; February 1, 2015: The Vice Presidential Candidate of the United Progressives Party, Barrister Bello Umar, took part today in the third session of Vice Presidential debates organized by the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG). The session featured the VP candidates of KOWA Party, the PDP (Vice President Sambo) and the UPP. The Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Yemi Osinbajo, failed to appear for the debate.
In the event, which is better described as a Joint Appearance between the candidates than a debate, Barrister Umar performed commendably as he outlined the major policy thrust of the UPP and its proposed programmes.
On the party's model of development, Barrister Umar said the UPP will devote more resources and planning to agriculture and other sectors in order to genuinely diversify the economy and relieve Nigeria of its dependency on oil.
On the generation of power and energy, Barrister Umar told Nigerians that hydro, solar, and wind alone will not be able to give the nation the volume of energy it needs for its industries. He said that a UPP government will collaborate with neighboring countries if necessary to build nuclear power plants for the nation's energy needs.
On combatting the theft of oil from vandalized pipelines, Barrister Umar stated that building up our security apparatus would be key to stopping the hemorrhage. The UPP will give priority to security if voted into power.
Regarding whether education should be for "growth or gain," the UPP candidate rejected the apparent dichotomy inherent in the question. According to him, the UPP believes education should be embarked on with both growth and gain in mind, with him defining "gain" as more than just profit or money. The UPP, he said, would implement compulsory and free education throughout the country at the primary and secondary levels. He said even at the tertiary level, the government should subsidize education to make it affordable for all citizens.
On fighting corruption and providing a different kind of leadership, Barrister Umar said the UPP will work to remove the current immunity from criminal prosecution for public officials. He also said that a UPP government will demand that public officials declare their assets on an annual basis and do so publicly. Those whose wealth appear more than their legitimate incomes can explain, will be investigated and if found wanting, will be made to forfeit ill-gotten wealth in addition to other punishment. The UPP leaders, he said, will lead by example and declare their assets annually and publicly.
Referring to the UPP manifesto as revolutionary, Barrister Umar said that the party's Presidential Candidate, Chief Dr. Chekwas Okorie, is a learned man who will bring a new kind of leadership that Nigeria needs at this time. Umar's style was calm, measured and straight forward, and his answers were brief, crisp and to the point.
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