When we talk about the French revolution, we talk about the several Writings of French philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Montesquieu. We talk about the Federalist papers of leaders of the American revolution apart from inspirational works of writers like Thomas Paine. In Russia, we talk about V.I Lenin’s New Economic Plan (NEP), that transformed Tsarist Russia uncompetitiveness in Europe into a modern state between (1918-1922). The nation on that foundation became a Super power.
In Nigeria, our Independence leaders such as Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello laid down several thousands of pages of documents on their dream for a great Nigeria, and they delivered on their plans with Nigeria becoming one of the leading countries of the third world, a step ahead in the club of Malaysia and Thailand. The superlative performance of the Nigerian independence leaders between the period of limited independence and early independence (1955 -1966), had boldly written programmes as guide to action.
It was this culture on anchoring a political vision on a solid boldly written plan, programme, and action that Kingsley Moghalu Documenting a vision is a priceless practice .
Now to the document itself, I will only limit myself to a quick review of APC gubernatorial candidate of Ebonyi state Rt. Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s Economic plans, some comments on state Security and expectation of Ebonyians on the management of diversity, due to space constraints. I would be more detailed on the Economy, because whatever promises anybody is making, if you do not have a plan of how to find the money, everything else is a Joke!
Here I have seen FON’s profound grasp of Political Economy in a way equal or deeper than the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo. That should be expected as the FON lives in an era of more information.
I start with his position on Continuing, candidate FON offers his solution “To achieve optimal growth in the long term we must wean ourselves from this
limitation. A more efficient fiscal methodology would be to base our budgeting on the projected level of government spending which optimises growth and jobs without causing unacceptable poverty among Ebonyians.”
I cannot agree more. This is a radical departure from the Bretton woods orthodoxy that has constrained growth since 1986 when IMF and World Bank succeeded in Hijacking Economic planning in Nigeria or better put, when Nigeria stopped Economic planning.
The proposed 10% Economic growth target of FON is achievable, and the accompanying fiscal and monetary
His economic plans, as Governor to be will correctly singles out the digital economy as one low hanging fruit for earnings as well as job creation in Ebonyi state.
Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s Tax plan is superb, that is his turf. His industrial and manufacturing agenda are inspiring. His planned return of Commodity boards is bold and welcomed. The commodities boards where technically Agric insurance platforms.
In summary, FON’s Economic plan is core progressive policy platform that will return Ebonyi state to economic development, a path we traveled before in the first Republic and achieved phenomenal development. It is the path Malaysia, China, India, have walked recording outstanding results. It is the path Samir Amin calls the path of Autocentric National development, away from the path of arrested development of the past four decades.
FON is currently paying better attention to matter of inclusiveness and political balancing. Mobilising for Economic growth will be a huge advantage to Ebonyi state when we collectively vote him in.
The real debate has started, let it continue!
Otah Christopher Israel,( FON’s Last born) is a political Analyst and writes from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.