PCI Series: Tales of APC, PDP’s Plans, according to Nigerians

Credit: Positive Campaign Initiative, Nigeria 2018

On Sunday 18, November 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted ban on campaign for 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections in accordance with Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which provides that “the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

The lift signifies that political parties, candidates and their supports are free to campaign in the public with the intent of wooing voters ahead of the 2019 general elections. On the day campaign activities are expected to begin, the ruling party, All Progressives Congress launched its policy plan dubbed “Next Level”. The main opposition party, People’s Democratic Party presented its own policy to Nigerians on November 19, 2018 christened “The Atiku Plan via Facebook.   

Since the presentation of the two plans, Nigerians and public analysts have been expressing their views on the plans, pointing out the plan that would solve the country’s socioeconomic challenges and enhance her growth and development.

The views expressed on the two plans were analysed by the Positive Campaign Initiative, Nigeria. Analysis reveals that Nigerians could not hold their feelings on the competencies of candidates and capability of the two parties taking the country to greater height. The comments of 100 Nigerians who reacted to the two parties’ plan on social media shows that 61 views were expressed in favour of the APC while 55 views were for the PDP.

Out of the 61 views of the APC, it was discovered 23 were against the President Muhammadu Buhari’s candidacy while 22 views favoured him. The analysis further establishes that 9 views against the Next Level Plan of the APC. For the People’s Democratic Party, 36 of the 55 views were in support of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy while 11 views support his policy plan for the country.

As Nigerians continuing dissecting the two plans in relation with the parties and the candidates, what is your view? Which of the plan do you believe will deliver the needed solutions to the country’s perennial socioeconomic and political problems, starting from 2019?