The first in the series of presidential town hall meetings organized by the Arise Television, Center for Development and Democracy and other partners almost ended in fracas, as protest erupted when Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa stepped forward to represent his principal – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The presidential candidates of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwakwaso, and Kola Abiola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) featured at the town hall meeting, while the ruling APC flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was again conspicuously absent. No reason was immediately given for his absence, which was not his first time of being absent at such crucial encounters with political opponents.
Shortly before the meeting started, participants at the event insisted that Okowa must step down, as the meeting was exclusivley for presidential candidates.
They wondered who would represent the PDP during the session for vice presidential candidates.
It took several appeals to calm frayed nerves and bring the angry supporters to an agreement, for Okowa to stay on at the meeting.
During the question and answer session, Obi stole the show by consistently reeling out figures, which were confirmed by the fact check team.
Obi, speaking on security challenges, reiterated his earlier position that pulling people out of poverty is the surest way to reduce criminality.
He said Nigerians must in 2023, avoid electing persons who could not in the past, account for resources entrusted in their official care.
Responding to a question on the oneness of the office of the President and the Vice President, Obi said the buck stops on the desk of the President, who is the single Commander-in-Chief, even though he works as a family with the Vice President.
However, interchangeability is not automatic, hence the President is required to formally hand over, in writing to his Vice if he is going overseas for an extended period.
Obi was emphatic on the issue of subsidy, saying he will remove it, but invest the saved revenue properly, alleging that oil theft is an organized crime involving regulators.
On borrowing, Obi said he has never been against borrowing, but said it must be for production, not for consumption. He said wastages in government must be blocked to boost revenue and manage the exchange rate.
Speaking about diversification of the economy, Obi said the economy is already diversified, but not enough attention is being made to boost production.
Obi said the military experience is no prerequisite for tackling security challenges, adding that what is required is a good understanding of the problems and the ability to apply the right human and material resources for their urgent eradication.
On devolution of power, Obi said women and youth will be the engine of his administration if elected President, and his record in Anambra State speaks for itself as women occupied critical positions in his administration as governor, including a deputy governor, chief of staff, commissioners for finance, education etc.
Borno State has low production of agriculture about its large mass of land, but he promised to make that a priority.
On power, Obi said the production capacity is 12000mw, but that cannot be effectively transmitted, because the transmission capacity is not beyond 6000mw. He then promised to increase the transmission infrastructure by declaring war on the power sector.
On flood control, Obi said it is not impossible to effectively check it. If Egypt had made so much progress in flood control, with much bigger flood potential,
the solution, he said, lies in the reappraisal of dredging and channeling solutions, some of which have been articulated in the past, but the funds wasted on corruption.
Obi described himself as a wealth creator in his private life and his public record, promising to apply the same principle if elected to the Presidency.
The town hall meeting lasted for over four hours from 8 pm to about 11.50 pm.