Dankwambo blames FG over alleged comatose economy, declining GDP

A presidential aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has blamed the Federal Government for a ‘comatose’ economy. Dankwanbo, who is the Governor of Gombe State, lamented the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to improve Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He cited the second quarter report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which it reported to have dropped from 1.95 per cent to 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year.

He spoke yesterday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, while soliciting the support of delegates from the 18 local councils in the state.He said the decline in the country’s GDP, amidst current insecurity and unemployment rate is alarming, adding that it was an indication that the government has failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

Dankwambo said the state of the nation has remained expended since the inception of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), after over three years in power.He expressed dismay at the way the country has witnessed backwardness in the past three years.According to him: “From the day they came on board, nothing has changed in the country. From the economy to security and job creation, and in all the numbers you see released from day to day, Nigeria is going backward.

“A simple measure of the economy is to check the standard of life from 2014 to 2015 and compare with today. I do not know if there is any indicator that will show you whether it has improved or not.He said the PDP could provide the right leadership within a short period of time, given the training that they have received.

The governor said Nigeria needs a president who can harness the nation’s resources and improve the lives of its citizens.He said: “What is required is a man who can harness all these kinds of resources immediately, with the energy that is required to implement them, as well as ensuring that the quality of life of Nigerians is improved immediately.”

The aspirant said from 2005 to 2010, he had participated in many economic management programmes that rescued, or provided succour to the country’s economy, ad promised to do so, if given the opportunity.

Dankwanbo promised to support restructuring, adding that every section of Nigeria must not feel marginalised, if the country must experience rapid development.He said his government would give Nigerians equal opportunity to excel in any position that they desire.He urged the delegates to work towards giving Nigerians the best alternative, by carefully assessing all the aspirants seeking their support for the presidential ticket.