Implication of a Peep at APC, PDP’s Policy Documents ahead of 2019 General Elections


In November, 2018, after the Independent National Electoral Commission lifted embargo on campaign activities, political parties swung into action by releasing documents and plans  which would assist their candidates governing respective states and the country. As expected, the All Progressives Congress, the ruling party and the People’s Democratic Party, the main opposition party released their policy documents tagged ‘Next Level’ and ‘Let Us Make Nigeria Walks Again’.
The release attracted public scrutiny, especially from the media and civil organisations across the country. Despite that the call for comments from non-actors, observations revealed that few Nigerians reacted to the call, analysis suggests.
Infoprations has earlier discovered that the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate will actualise his vision of getting Nigeria works again four areas. These include financial services, job creation, power infrastructure, and youth and women empowerment.

Analysis of his policy plan reveals that it contains 23 priority areas and 63 policy objectives that would guide implementation of specific projects, programmes and activities highlighted under “What We Will Do” part of the plan. The financial services sector is being favoured with 6 policy objectives, while job creation, power infrastructure, youth and women empowerment are tied with 5 policy objectives each.
The ruling party promises to continue with most of its programmes and activities started in 2015 within social, economic and political spheres of the country.
With the less than 38 days to the presidential election, analysis has also shown that Nigerians are seeking information about the two main contenders–President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar than their policy documents. The documents which supposed to help voters in making informed decisions are being searched less by Nigerians ahead of the election. With the highest concentration on knowing more about the candidates, voters are most likely to be beclouded with emotional messages that would not help them in screening each candidate in line with his policy document or plan.

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