Atiku vows at least 40% of his cabinet would be women, youths if elected President

Candidate in the 2019 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised that if hes elected president next year, he would devote at least 40% of his cabinet appointments to women and youths.

The former Vice President made this promise when he took to his Twitter account (@atiku) on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, to decry the poor state of the country under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, his major opponent at next year's polls.

He said his plans for Nigeria is dedicated towards empowering the women and youths of the country to return to the path of wealth creation.

He posted, "Nigeria under Buhari is now the world HQ for extreme poverty. If we are to change that, we must empower women and youths.

"Therefore, I give an undertaking that if by the grace of God, I am elected by you the good people of Nigeria, at least 40% of my cabinet would be women and youths.

"During my time in government, we designed our policies to help young people grow - stronger banks, telecoms etc. Many returned to Nigeria to start successful businesses.

"Today, those young people are leaving again, to Canada etc. We are losing our best doctors and professionals.

"Our policy document which is ready and will be unveiled soon, is dedicated primarily to creating an enabling environment for Nigerian youth and women to return to the path of wealth creation and gainful employment."

Atiku was elected the presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) at the party's national convention in Port Harcourt on October 7, 2018, and has selected former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, as his running mate.

The 2019 presidential election, scheduled for February 16, 2019, is expected to be keenly-contested between him and Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).