Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend all political activities ahead of the 2023 elections and address the economic challenges facing the country.
Obi stated that addressing fuel scarcity, electricity issues, the prices of foodstuffs in the market and other issues would mean a lot to Nigerians at this time.
He stated that the failure of the Buhari government to address these issues would lead to voter apathy in the 2023 elections and not allow Nigerians to participate fully in the electoral process.
He made these known at a reception organised for the President of Afrieximbank, Dr. Benedick Okey Oramah, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka over the weekend.
The former vice-presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) advised Buhari to minimise the suffering of Nigerians due to the economic issues ravaging the nation.
He, however, urged Nigerians to always vote for people with the competent capacity and ensure that they scrutinise politicians before supporting their ambition.
Obi said: “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.
“Nigeria is in an 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 the same trajectory as 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 capita is 2,650, ours is still 2000, meaning that the Nigerian economy 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.”
