Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has lamented that negative political campaign amongst the politicians and attitude of Nigerians generally in respect of the March/April general elections is already affecting the country’s economic growth.
Governor Uduaghan who spoke today in Warri, at a town hall meeting with professional groups and civil society organizations based in Delta South and Central Senatorial districts of the State, said that the attitude of Nigerians is sending wrong signals to investors.
He added that the negative attitude to campaign is impacting negatively on the economy with investors holding back their funds thereby retarding the country’s economic growth.
He said that the value of the dollar rose far above the Naira because Nigerians are giving the impression that there will be violence after the general elections which had sent the wrong signals to the international community, especially businessmen.
“There is this erroneous impression that we are giving to the international investors that there will be violence after the elections and it has affected the inflow of money from businessmen. We must work very hard to ensure that our elections are violent-free, whoever loses should wait for another election. Whichever way the election goes, we must maintain the peace and ensure that the Naira appreciates.”
The Governor express worry over those that have been inciting Nigerians based on different divides as a result of the forthcoming elections.
According to Dr. Uduaghan, the effects of inciting the people could be disastrous even to those engaging in inciting others.
He stressed the need for President Goodluck Jonathan to be re-election because of the achievements he has recorded for Nigerians within the past four years.
He promised that if elected, President Jonathan would do more for Nigerians and the country in the interest of the peace and unity of the nation, adding: “The naira will get a boost after the elections.”
A former Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye delivered a lecture on ‘Governing Under Siege: An Assessment Of The President Goodluck Jonathan Administration 2011-2015’ at the Town hall meeting
Monye decried hate campaigns and campaigns based on falsehood stressing that Mr. President has worked more than his predecessors by delivering on electoral promises rather than engaging in propaganda.
He expressed confidence that based on the facts presented which shows a progressive country, the professionals and members of the civil society groups “are not voting for President Jonathan based on where he is from but, because of his performance so far.”
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