FG lying, Nigeria not growing, says Duke
Published October 8, 2018 October 8, 2018
Donald Duke
Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Donald Duke, says Nigeria under President Muhamadu Buhari is not experiencing developmental growth.
He, therefore, stated that there was a need for a change in leadership in 2019.
Duke said this at the SDP presidential primary in Abuja on Saturday.
He said, "Our young people are almost lying prostrate, not knowing what to do with themselves. They form the bulk of our population. Our challenges are enormous; we need to create jobs, growth in our country.
"Our country has not been growing. If the government tells you today that we are growing, it is not true. Our population is growing at a rate of 3.2 per cent annually yet our economy is growing at 1.2 per cent. That is not growth."
The SDP presidential candidate said no country could experience growth without focusing on women and youths.
He promised to run an inclusive government if elected.
Duke added, "Our women are not looked at. Half of our population are women. We need to carry them along. You cannot grow the society by growing one half and leaving the other half. We need to put everything together and that is why my motto is 'Everyone matters'. Every Nigerian matters regardless of where you come from."
The former Governor of Cross River State said the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress were not the solutions to the problems of Nigeria.
He said Nigeria needed a credible third force with new ideas.
Duke said it was unfortunate that the level of insecurity had not abated even as he stated that the current insurgency had lasted longer than the civil war.
The ex-governor added, "Over the last 18 years or thereabouts, we have experienced two political associations that have dragged us further into the dark: the PDP and now the APC. Nigerians are looking for a credible third alternative which I believe the SDP is poised to reflect and it will only come about if we put the right people in the right places.
"Having square pegs in square holes devoid of ethnic or religious sentiments. We need the best hands because the challenges before us are enormous. Our nation today is embroiled in a civil war in the North-East, a war that has gone on longer than the Biafran war, that has cost us much more in terms of life and resources than that war. Yet, we behave as if nothing is happening."
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