Obi urges FG to suspend political activities, face fuel, education crises

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to, 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 expressed the fear that the electorates may not have the appetite to participate fully in the 2023 electoral process, if the challenges are not addressed to minimize their suffering, particularly, the PMS and the continuing ASUU strike saga.

Obi, the former Vice-Presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2019 general election, made the call on Friday, shortly after the reception in honour of the President, Afrikbank, Dr Benedick Okey Oramah, at the ongoing 15/16 Convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where Dr Oromah was honoured with Doctorate degree.

According to him, Nigeria is in a far worse economic mess today because it failed to implement the right policies and not allow those who have the skills and God-fearing heart to govern.

He listed other challenges that may hinder the full participation of voters during the forthcoming elections including; a hike in transportation fares due to scarcity of fuel, kidnapping, unknown gunmen, ritual killings, ASUU strike, lack of jobs for the teeming youth and cultism.

He said “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 meals and there is a 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 settlements, especially in the northern part of Nigeria.

“It has been proved everywhere in the World that the more education, a country is, the better for development. The only way we can measure development is through Human Development Index which is hiding in education. And if you check countries that have the same trajectory as Nigeria, for instance, in the year 2000, Bangladesh, Ghana, to mention but a few, have the same low Human Development Index with Nigeria but have moved from low-medium while Nigeria remains in the same low position.

In the year 2010, Nigeria’s per capita was 2,250 dollars while Bangladesh was 780 per capita. Today, their per capita is 2,650, because they invest in education, ours is 2000, showing that Nigeria’s economy has collapsed.

“More Nigerians are getting poorer, Universities are closed, those that are working can no longer live off their salaries and their income and we politicians are here busing talking about 2023 general election.

“Is it what we are supposed to be preoccupied on. We should be preoccupied with how the poor will put better food on their table. Bread today 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.” He said

Obi, therefore, urged Nigerians to always vote for people with competence, capacity and the fear of God.

Mr Benedict Okey Oramah, the President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in his brief remark/, said his major commitment at the moment was to assist the government of Nigeria to stabilise the economy and place the country on the path of growth.

Oramah, who was honoured with a Doctorate Degree in Development Economics, commend the management of Unizik for the honour.