The Peoples Democratic Party ’ s vice presidential candidate for the February 16 general election , Mr Peter Obi, says the country’ s economic misfortunes will move to rapid economic growth if the party is voted in .
Obi gave the assurance at an interactive session with the Edo State stakeholders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Benin on Thursday .
According to him more than 40 per cent of young Nigerians were unemployed , leading to Nigeria being referred to as one of the poorest countries in the world .
He also alleged that “ Nigeria has been shut down economically , politically and socially for more than three years. ”
“ This has resulted in hunger , insecurity , and economic instability especially in the North Eastern part of the country. ”
According to him , the Atiku/Obi – led government if elected will bring back foreign investors to develop the economy of the country .
Obi said , “ those who have closed their businesses for fear of kidnapping , banditry , insurgency as a result of government inability to provide security for the citizenry , will be encouraged to return . ”
He reiterated that the power sector would be taken care of through policies that would make the sector to work again and contribute to the country’ s economic development .
“ We are going to treat everybody equally , especially the physically challenged in the area of empowerment .
“ We will take the issue of the physically challenged very seriously in our incoming government and that is one of our agenda , ” Obi said .
The PDP vice presidential candidate said that local government autonomy would work through “proper restructuring and federalism . ”
“ Local government will become very free and autonomous to get its revenue directly from the federation account without state interference for rapid grassroots development . ”
He also gave the assurance that an Atiku/ Obi ticket would ensure that “ incessant strike being experienced now , ” would be a thing of the past.
Obi said that if voted in, the PDP administration would give more priority to education and health care facilities .
Earlier , the Edo Chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih , criticised the Federal Government “ Tradermoni ” loan scheme , telling the people “ not to be carried away , ” by it .
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that most of those that spoke during the meeting appealed to PDP to show “ federal presence ” in Edo if voted into power.
( NAN )
