The Presidential candidate of Peoples Trust (PT) Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim,

The Presidential candidate of Peoples Trust (PT) Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has flagged off his campaign with a pledge to tackle unemployment in the country, if elected.

Olawepo-Hashim said at the event on Saturday in Abuja that at the bottom of “the massive upheavals” in the land was youth unemployment which had climbed from 33 per cent to 36 per cent.

According to him, Nigeria now have more youths that are unemployed with the national unemployment average at 24 per cent of the population.

“Our resolve is to build new economy that will guarantee jobs to our teeming youths,” he said

He also promised to empower women with capital to take their place in the society not just in ‘the other room’.

“We are resolved to expand our economy to a 4 trillion dollars economy within 10 years.

“We will restructure the way power is organised between the states and local governments by devolving power to the state as presently constituted so that they can mobilise more natural resources to address problems.”

The PT presidential candidate further promised to empower states to have their own police side by side with the federal police so that internal security could be enhanced.

“We will build a Nigeria where every Nigerian will be proud of his own passport because of our initiative on foreign policy.

“We will create an environment where more youths have access to education by increasing budgetary allocation to the educational sector.

“We will make the necessary social investments to take our people out of poverty,” he said.

Olawepo-Hashim also said that the party would exchange instability for security.

“We are at a point where we will dump poverty for prosperity: we are at a point where we will stop hatred and violence and build a truly united Nigeria where the life of every Nigerian will count equally.

“The Peoples Trust have resolved that by the time we are elected, by the grace of God, we will build a truly united Nigeria.

“Today, 11 out of 19 states of northern Nigeria have literally been overrun by bandits from across the border and violence that are caused by agents of disunity and destruction.

“The southern states of Nigeria have literally been overtaken by kidnappers, robbers and all sorts of social-induced violence due to the present state of the economy of the country.”

He said the party would fight corruption in a way that would be done scientifically explaining that you cannot fight corruption when majority of the people were hungry.

The National Chairman of the party, Mr Olisa Agbakoba said, if Olawepo-Hashim was elected as president, it would be an opportunity for change.

“I appeal to Nigerians to help us change the nation. Vote wisely; vote for PT if you want change.” he said.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be neutral and ensure a free and fair election.

Also, the Director-General PT Presidential Campaign Council, Alhaji Habu Fari, said with Olawepo-Hashim in the presidential race, a new dawn had set for Nigeria.

He therefore, urged party members and supporters to ensure their votes count in the election.