The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that its commitment to progressive reforms and electoral promises remain unwavering.
The party gave the assurance in a statement on Friday in Abuja by Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary of its Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
The party was felicitating President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians on the occasion of the 2021 Democracy Day being marked on Saturday, June 12.
Akpanudoedehe noted that this year’s Democracy Day coincided with the sixth anniversary of the people-oriented Buhari administration and the 22nd year of continuous democratic governance in Nigeria.
He recalled that it was the Buhari-led APC administration that declared June 12 as Democracy Day in line with the party’s unwavering commitment to democracy as contained in its mission statement and vision.
“As Nigerians mark the 2021 Democracy Day, it is important to note that Africa’s most populous country remains the largest economy on the continent under the leadership of President Buhari,” he said.
He added that this was especially so, as the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at $514 billion as published in the latest World Bank report.
Akpanudoedehe said this was in spite of lower oil production caused by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.
“The proactive and successful implementation of the N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) has not only stimulated the economy and prevented business collapse amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“It has also created jobs through support to labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, public works and extending credit to Small and Medium scale Enterprises.
“The proactive measures paved way for Nigeria’s quick exit from recession,” the APC scribe said.
He added that the country’s economy had returned to steady growth due to prudent economic management despite the lean resources available to government.
He expressed gratitude to the president for his display of political will in the posthumous honour to Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Akpanudoedehe noted that MKO paid the ultimate price in the struggle to actualise his unjustifiably annulled electoral mandate.
He added that the APC leadership and millions of its members and supporters would continue to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices made by many Nigerians in the enthronement of democracy in the country.
This, he said, contributed in the decision to officially recognise June 12 as Democracy Day.
He noted that in six years of the Buhari administration, Nigeria had witnessed unprecedented renewal of vital infrastructure designed to support the continuous expansion of the country’s economy.
According to him, this had facilitated domestic trade, enhance social interactions and promote ease of doing business.
He further noted that no government in the country’s history had systematically taken steps to create jobs and alleviate poverty like the President Buhari-led administration.