Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and People Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, says Nigeria is in deep mess because God-fearing leaders are not part of governance.
Speaking at a reception organised for the President of Afrieximbank, Dr. Benedick Okey Oramah, who was honoured with a Doctorate Degree on Development Economics at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Obi called on the Federal Government to possibly suspend all political activities ahead of 2023 and address pressing issues.
Obi said Nigeria’s problem is more than 2023 election, which seem to be capturing the attention of the government at the moment.
“If possible, suspend all political activities for now and focus on how to address the lingering fuel scarcity and other societal challenges confronting Nigerians at the moment,” he said.
Obi said if things continue this way, the electorate may not have the appetite to participate fully in the 2023 electoral process.
He said something must be done to minimise the suffering of the masses, particularly as a result of fuel scarcity and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike saga.
“Nigeria is in economic mess today because it failed to implement the right policies and refuse to allow those with skills and God-fearing heart to govern.”
“In my observation as a true democrat, I can tell you that several businesses are shutting down, especially as the fuel crisis worsens. Millions of Nigerians can no longer afford three square meal and there is high rate of prostitution among young ladies.
“Farmers are not free from the situation, with repeated threats from bandits, who have taken over most of the farm settlement, especially in the northern part of Nigeria.
“It has been proved everywhere in the World that the more educated a society is, the better it is for development. The only way we can measure development is through Human Development Index (HDI), which is hindering in education. And if you check countries that have same trajectory like Nigeria. For instance, in the year 2000, Bangladesh, Ghana, to mention but few, had same low Human Development Index (HDI) with Nigeria, but they have moved from low-medium while Nigeria remains in same low position.
“In the year 2010, Nigeria per capital was 2,250 dollars while Bangladesh was 780 per capital, because the country invested in education, thereby pulling people out of poverty. Today, their per capital is 2,650, ours is still 2000, meaning that the Nigerian economic is collapsing.
“More Nigerians are getting poorer, Universities are closed, those that are working can not longer live on their salaries and their income while we politicians are here busing talking about 2023 general election. Is it what we are supposed to be doing now? We should be preoccupied with how poor will put better food on their table. Bread and other foodstuffs are on the high side. Politics is all about caring for the people that elected you into power and the society at large.”
Obi urged Nigerians to always vote for people with competent capacity and the fear of God.
First published in Daily Trust